Driveline System: Notes

The driveline system consists of the following:

• Right halfshaft with inner and outer CV joint
• Left halfshaft with inner and outer CV joint
• Intermediate shaft connecting the transaxle to the right halfshaft
• Intermediate shaft bearing that supports the inner right halfshaft CV joint
• Circlips that retain the intermediate shaft and left halfshaft inner CV joint in the transaxle differential side gears
• Splined outer CV joints that mesh with the front drive hubs
• Outboard CV joint wheel hub nuts that secure the CV joints to the wheel hubs

The transaxle contains the differential assembly. The differential receives torque directly from the transmission. Inside the differential, side gears are splined to the right inboard CV joint and intermediate shaft. The differential allows the halfshaft and intermediate shaft to be driven at different speeds as required, such as when cornering. The rotational direction of the halfshafts determines the vehicle movement. The articulation of the front wheels, both in steering and normal jounce and rebound, is controlled by the CV joint. Both plunge and multi-ball style CV joints are used. The CV joints are permanently lubricated with a special high temperature grease and require no periodic maintenance.