Propeller Shaft Description and Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: View Of Propeller Shaft Assembly

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

The propeller shaft assembly is a 2-piece design. The front shaft consists of a plunging A-type constant velocity joint at the front and a universal joint and yoke at the rear.

The rear shaft consists of a center bearing and a center yoke, which are pressed onto the rear half of the propshaft and retained by a snap ring. The front and rear shafts are joined together at the yokes with a universal joint. The rear shaft attaches to the axle with a flange which is attached to the rear shaft with a universal joint.

The center bearing provides support where the front and rear shafts mate and is bolted to the underbody. The front constant velocity joint is bolted to the power take-off unit (PTU), and the rear universal joint flange is bolted to the rear differential.