Front

Rear Drive Axle and Differential

Description

The welded steel rear axle casing houses a separate spiral bevel type differential unit, which is off set to the right of the vehicle center line. The differential unit drives the front wheels via the axle shafts and constant velocity joints which are totally enclosed in the spherical and swivel housings.
The front wheels are pivoted on tape roller bearings at the top and bottom of the swivel housing. The wheel hubs on all axles are supported by two taper bearings and driven by drive flanges which are splined to the one piece, stub/constant velocity joint.

Lubrication

The differential, swivel pin housing and wheel hubs are individually lubricated and seperated by oil seals to prevent oil transfer across the axle when the vehicle is traversing steep inclines. The wheel bearings are lubricated with grease and the swivel housing and differential with oil. On later vehicles, identified by only having a filler plug in the swivel housing, grease is used to lubricate the housing assembly.

Ventilation

Ventilation of the differential is through a plastic pipe which terminates at a high level. The swivel housings ventilate through axle shaft oil seals into the differential and the hub bearings vent via the oil seals into the swivel housing.


Defender 90/110/130