Half Shaft: Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Stratus and 2005 Chrysler Sebring. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

This vehicle is equipped with an unequal length halfshaft system. See Fig 1. These halfshafts consist of two constant velocity joints connected by a solid shaft. A solid short interconnecting shaft is used on the left side. A long solid interconnecting shaft is used on the right side.

Some halfshafts use a tuned rubber damper weight. When replacing a halfshaft assembly, be sure the replacement halfshaft has the same damper weight as the original.

Fig 1: Unequal Length Halfshaft System

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - STUB AXLE	8 - OUTER C/V JOINT
2 - OUTER C/V JOINT	9 - RIGHT HALFSHAFT
3 - OUTER C/V JOINT BOOT	10 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT BOOT
4 - TUNED RUBBER DAMPER WEIGHT	11 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT
5 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT	12 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT
6 - OUTER C/V JOINT BOOT	13 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT BOOT
7 - STUB AXLE	14 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT-LEFT HALFSHAFT

Both halfshaft assemblies use the same type of inner and outer joints. The inner joint of both halfshaft assemblies is a tripod joint, and the outer joint of both halfshaft assemblies is a Rzeppa joint. Both tripod joints and Rzeppa joints are true constant velocity (C/V) joint assemblies. The inner tripod joint allows for the changes in halfshaft length through the jounce and rebound travel of the front suspension.

On vehicles equipped with ABS brakes, the outer C/V joint is equipped with a tone wheel used to determine vehicle speed for ABS brake operation.

The inner tripod joint of both halfshafts is splined into the transaxle side gears. The inner tripod joints are retained in the side gears of the transaxle using a snap ring located in the stub shaft of the tripod joint. The outer C/V joint has a stub shaft that is splined into the wheel hub and retained by a steel hub nut.