Axle Shafts - Front: Description

Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vans use only the unequal length axle shaft system. Unequal length system has a long axle shaft on right side and short axle shaft on left side. See Fig 1 .

Fig 1: FWD Axle Shaft Assembly Component ID

Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS.

The short shaft on left side is the same for all transmission and engine applications. The long shaft on right side varies depending on transmission used. Manual transmissions use a tubular shaft, while automatic transmissions use a solid shaft.

Drive shaft assemblies are 3 piece units consisting of outer Constant Velocity (CV) joint, connecting shaft and inner tripot joint. Vehicles are equipped with any one of 3 types of axle shaft assemblies. See Fig 2 .

Fig 2: Axle Shaft Type ID

Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS.