Front Axle Assembly

FRONT AXLE - 181 FBI

DESCRIPTION
The Front Beam-design Iron (FBI) axle consists of a cast iron differential housing with axle shaft tubes extending from either side. The tubes are pressed into the differential housing and welded. The integral type housing, hypoid gear design has the centerline of the pinion set above the centerline of the ring gear.

The axles are equipped with semi-floating axle shafts, meaning that loads are supported by the hub bearings. The axle shafts are retained by nuts at the hub bearings. The hub bearings are bolted to the steering knuckle at the outboard end of the axle tube yoke. The hub bearings are serviced as an assembly. Vehicles with ABS brakes, have wheel speed sensors are attached to the knuckle assemblies. The tone rings for the ABS system are pressed onto the axle shaft.

OPERATION
The axle receives power from the transfer case through the front propeller shaft. The front propeller shaft is connected to the pinion gear which rotates the differential through the gear mesh with the ring gear bolted to the differential case. The engine power is transmitted to the axle shafts through the pinion mate and side gears. The side gears are splined to the axle shafts.