Description & Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire and 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. 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. All axle shafts, except left inner axle shaft on A/T models, use a male splined end which interlocks with transaxle gears and is held in place 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 an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) have a toothed exciter ring on outer CV joint housing. All models use tripot/free-motion type inner joint.