Description & Operation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1996 Chevrolet Lumina, and 1996 Buick Regal. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Power is transferred to drive wheels by 2 axle shafts. Axle shafts have inner and outer Constant Velocity (CV) joints. Inner CV joint is a tripot/free-motion 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. 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 between axle shaft and transaxle. Models with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) have a toothed exciter ring on outer CV joint housing.
All models use Tripot/Free-Motion type inner joint.