Axle Shaft Assembly: Description and Operation

Wheel Drive Shafts Description and Operation

Wheel drive shafts are flexible assemblies consisting of an inner tripot joint and an outer constant velocity joint connected by an axle shaft. The inner joint is completely flexible, and can plunge in and out. The outer joint is also flexible, but cannot plunge in and out. These drive axles are used to transmit rotational force from the transaxle to the front tire and wheel assemblies.

Seal and Clamp

The wheel drive shafts use inboard and outboard joint seals made of thermoplastic material, and clamps made of stainless steel. The functions of the seals are as follows:

^ The seals protect the internal parts of the inboard and outboard joints.

- They protect the joint lubricating grease from surrounding detrimental atmospheric conditions, such as extreme temperatures, ozone gas, etc.
- They protect the joint lubricating grease from foreign materials, such as stones, dirt, water, salt, etc.

^ The seals facilitate angular and axial movement of the inboard joint.
^ The seals facilitate angular movement of the outboard joint.

The function of the clamps is as follows:

Provide a leak proof connection at both the housing and the axle shaft for the inboard and outboard joints.

The thermoplastic material performs well against normal handing, operational wear, and conditions. This material however, is not strong enough to withstand abusive handling or damage due to objects such as sharp tools or the sharp edge of any other surrounding component on the vehicle.

Inner Joint

The inner joints are of the tripot design without an over-extension limitation retainer. The inner joints incorporate a male spline which interlocks with the transaxle, or the intermediate drive shaft if equipped, using snap rings.

Outer Joint

The outer joints are of the Rzeppa, constant velocity joint design. The shaft end which mates with the wheel bearing and hub assembly, incorporates a helical spline to assure a tight, press-type fit. This design assures that no end play will exist between the hub bearing and the drive shaft assembly for added durability and reduced bearing noise.

Intermediate Drive Shaft

The intermediate drive shaft (IDS) is used with regular production option (RPO) LSJ, to permit the use of equal length wheel drive shafts, and thus eliminate torque steer during heavy acceleration. The IDS incorporates a male spine which mates to the transaxle. The IDS is supported and maintained in position by a sealed bearing mounted within a bracket that is bolted to the engine block. The IDS incorporates a tone wheel which is used by the vehicle speed sensor (VSS).

Vehicle Speed Sensor

On RPO LSJ equipped vehicles, the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is mounted to a bracket which is in turn mounted to the intermediate drive shaft (IDS) bracket. The IDS bracket is machined to a precise thickness and the VSS bracket is manufactured to a precise thickness to position the VSS with the correct air-gap to the tone wheel on the IDS. The VSS to tone wheel air-gap is non-adjustable.