Section 75 (Axle Shafts - Front): Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Vehicles use unequal length axle shaft system. Unequal length system has a long axle shaft on right side of vehicle, and a short axle shaft on left side. Left axle shaft uses a tuned rubber damper weight. See Fig 1 .

Both axle shafts are 3-piece units consisting of outer Rzeppa joint, interconnecting shaft and inner tripod joint. Both Rzeppa joints and tripod joints are true Constant Velocity (CV) joint assemblies. Inner tripod joint allows for changes in axle shaft length through jounce and rebound travel of front suspension.

Both inner CV joints are splined into transaxle side gear and are retained in side gears by a snap ring, located on stub shaft of tripod joint. Outer CV joints have stub shafts that are splined into wheel hub and are retained by a steel hub nut.

Fig 1: Identifying Front Axle Shaft Assembly Components

Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.