Description & Operation
Power is transferred to drive wheels by 2 axle shafts. Axle shafts have inner and outer Constant Velocity (CV) joints. CV joints provide a flexible coupling between transaxle and wheel hub. Inner CV joint is a tripot/free-motion type inner joint or cross-Groove type joint that can slide in and out. Outer joint is a Rzeppa type that is flexible but does not move in and out. See Fig 1 . Axle shafts, except left inner axle shaft on A/T models, use a male splined end and interlock with transaxle gears by a circlip.
Left inner axle shaft on A/T models uses a female splined end and interlocks with protruding stub shaft. Some models use an intermediate shaft and support bearing to provide equal torque distribution between axle shaft and transaxle. Models with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) have a toothed exciter ring on outer CV joint housing.