Section 56 (Axle Shafts - Front): Description

Vehicles use unequal length axle shaft system. Unequal length system has a long axle shaft on right side of vehicle, and a short axle shaft on left side. Short axle shaft on left side of vehicle has a short, solid interconnecting shaft that is the same for all transaxle and engine applications. Long axle shaft on right side of vehicle varies depending on transaxle used; manual transaxles use a tubular interconnecting shaft and automatic transaxles use a solid interconnecting shaft. Left axle shaft uses tuned rubber damper weights. Vehicles with ABS have a tone wheel attached to outer CV joints to determine vehicle speed for ABS operation. See Fig 1 .

Both axle shafts are 3-piece units consisting of outer Rzeppa joint, interconnecting shaft and inner tripod joint. Both Rzeppa joints and tripod joints are true Constant Velocity (CV) joint assemblies. Inner tripod joint allows for changes in axle shaft length through jounce and rebound travel of front suspension. Vehicles are equipped with either of 2 types of axle shaft assemblies. See Fig 2 .

Both inner CV joints are splined into transaxle side gear and are retained in side gears by constant force provided by spring within inner CV joint. Outer CV joints have stub shafts that are splined into wheel hub and are retained by a steel hub nut.

Fig 1: Identifying Front Axle Shaft Assembly Components

Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.