Section 2 (Axle Shafts - Front): Description
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1985 Mazda GLC and 1985 Mazda 626. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Axle shafts transfer power from transaxle to driving wheels. All axle shafts consist of a shaft and flexible Constant Velocity (CV) joints at each end. Inner CV joint is splined or bolted to transaxle. Outer CV joint is splined to wheel bearing hub and secured by a nut.
There are 3 design types of CV joints. The Double Offset Joint (DOJ), Birfield Joint (BJ) or Tripot-Rzeppa Joint (TJ) design type. DOJ joint consists of equally spaced balls between an inner and outer race. TJ joint consists of a triangle yoke within a housing. Inner CV joint is splined into differential side gear and held with a spring clip.