Axle Shafts - Front: Description
The inboard end of each axle shaft is connected to the transmission via a constant velocity joint (Shudder-less Free ring tripod Joint: SFJ) which is flexible in the axial directions while the outboard end is connected via a Bell Joint (BJ) to the wheel hub which is supported by a taper roller bearing located inside the axle housing. The BJ features a large operating angle. Both the constant velocity joints (SFJ and BJ) ensure smooth, regular rotation of the drive wheels with minimum vibration. The bearing is a preloaded, non-adjustable tapered roller unit bearing. Each hub is fitted in the axle housing via the tapered roller bearing. The BJ's spindle is splined to the hub and is secured with an axle nut clinched to it. The disc rotor is an external mounting type. It is secured to the disc wheel using hub bolts to facilitate maintenance of the disc rotor.