Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Rear Drive Unit
The active torque coupling/Rear Drive Unit (RDU) is serviced as an assembly.
The RDU housing cover uses a silicone sealant rather than a gasket.
Each halfshaft is held in the RDU case by a halfshaft circlip that is located on the inner CV joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing. When each halfshaft is installed, the halfshaft circlip engages a slot in the differential side gear.
The RDU operates as follows:
- The RDU pinion receives power from the engine through the transaxle, PTU , driveshaft and active torque coupling, and is always engaged.
- The pinion gear rotates the differential case, which is bolted to the differential case outer flange.
- Inside the differential case, 2 differential pinion gears are mounted on a differential pinion shaft that is pinned to the differential case.
- These differential pinion gears are engaged with the differential side gears, to which the halfshafts are splined.
- As the differential case turns, it rotates the halfshafts and rear wheels.
- When it is necessary for one wheel and halfshaft to rotate faster than the other, the faster turning differential side gear causes the differential pinion gears to roll on the slower turning differential side gear. This allows differential action between the 2 halfshafts.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.