Rear Drive Axle and Differential

Rear Drive Axle and Differential

The rear drive axle operates as follows:

- The rear axle drive pinion receives power from the engine through the transaxle, Power Transfer Unit (PTU), driveshaft and active torque coupling, and is always engaged.
- The pinion gear rotates the differential ring gear, which is bolted to the differential case outer flange.
- Inside the differential case, 2 differential pinion gears are mounted on a differential pinion shaft which 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.
- The halfshafts are held in the differential case by a driveshaft bearing retainer circlip that is located on the inboard CV joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing. When each halfshaft is installed, the driveshaft bearing retainer circlip engages a step in the differential side gear.
- The serviced parts on the rear axle and active torque coupling are the drive pinion seal and the stud shaft seals. If any other components are worn or damaged, they are serviced as an assembly.