Driveline System - General Information

Driveline System

The driveline transfers engine torque to the drive wheels. Power is transmitted through the transmission to the driveshaft and then to the rear axle assembly.

There are two types of driveshafts used:
- A one-piece driveshaft for standard wheelbase vehicles (124 in and 138 in).
- A two-piece driveshaft for longer wheelbase vehicles. The two-piece design includes a front, or "coupling" shaft, a rubber-insulated frame-mounted driveshaft center bearing, a splined slip joint and an intermediate universal joint (158 in and greater).

The engine angle is built into the engine mounts. If the engine angle is out of specification, the engine mounts must be inspected for damage.

Vehicle Certification (VC) Label Example

Vehicle Certification (VC) Label Example:

The Vehicle Certification (VC) label is located in the driver doorjamb. The axle code is on the VC label. For additional information on the VC label, refer to Vehicle / Application and ID to cross reference the axle code to the ratio.

Dana Rear Axle Identification Tag

Dana Rear Axle Identification Tag (Part 1):

Dana Rear Axle Identification Tag (Part 2):

Ford Rear Axle Identification Tag

Ford Rear Axle Identification Tag:

Ford Axle Identification Tag Denoting Interchangeability Affected Internally

Ford Axle Identification Tag Denoting Interchangeability Affected Internally:

CAUTION: The metal axle identification tag is the official service identifier. Do not damage the tag. Always reinstall the tag after removing it for axle inspection/repair.

The axle identification tag identifies a particular axle design, a specific ratio, and if it is a conventional or limited slip (Traction-Lok(R)) type. In addition, the plant code will not change as long as that particular axle assembly never undergoes an external design change. If, however, an internal design change takes place during the production life of the axle and that internal change affects parts interchangeability, a dash and numerical suffix is added to the plant code. This means that as an assembly both axles are interchangeable; however, internally they are different. Therefore, each requires different internal parts at the time of repair.