Driveline System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Lincoln Mark LT and 2007 Ford Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The driveline consists of the following:

Front drive axle
Rear drive axle
Front axle halfshafts
One-piece front driveshaft with 2 U-joints, a slip-yoke and 2 U-joint flanges
One-piece rear driveshaft with 2 U-joints and a front slip-yoke
Two-piece rear driveshaft with 3 U-joints, a front slip yoke and a center bearing with a slip yoke between the U-joints on the rear shaft
Center support bearings

The source of the drivetrain's power is generated by the engine and delivered to the transmission. The driveline transfers the engine torque through the driveshaft to the axle. The rear driveshaft is connected to the output shaft of the transmission or transfer case and to the rear axle. The front driveshaft is connected to the transfer case and to the front axle. Slip yokes are used to allow for any changes to the length of the driveshaft. Changes in length are self-adjusted up in the driveshaft slip mechanism. The engine torque enters the axle through the drive pinion, which rotates the ring gear. The ring gear is mounted to the differential case, which contains the gears that transmit power to the rear axle shafts or front halfshafts. These shafts and halfshafts rotate the drive wheels. The Traction-Lok® rear axle assembly, except for the differential case and its internal components, is identical to the conventional rear axle. The Traction-Lok® employs 2 multi-disc differential clutch packs to control differential action. The mounting distance of the differential side gear is controlled by plates on each side, friction and steel. Also included is a steel selective shim to control the position of the differential side gear, and a spring provides initial preload to the clutch pack. The steel clutch plates are splined to the axle shafts. The friction plates are contained in the case by matching slots, thus providing continuous engagement of the differential clutch packs The engine angle is built into the engine mounts. If the engine angle is out of specification, the engine mounts must be inspected for damage.

Fig 1: Vehicle Certification (VC) Label Example

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

The vehicle certification (VC) label is located in the driver door jamb. The first 2 digits of the axle code indicate the rear axle and the third digit refers to the front axle, if equipped. For additional information on the VC label, refer to IDENTIFICATION CODES article.

Fig 2: Front Axle Identification Tag

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Item	Description
1	Plant code
2	Axle ratio
3	Ring gear diameter (inch)
4	Build year
5	Build month
6	Build day

Fig 3: Rear Axle Identification Tag

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Item	Description
1	Plant code
2	Axle ratio
3	Denotes Traction-Lok®
4	Ring gear diameter (inch)
5	Build year
6	Build month
7	Build day

NOTE: The axle identification tag is the official service identifier. Do not damage the tag. Always reinstall the tag after removing it for axle inspection/repair.

The axle identification tag identifies a particular axle design, a specific ratio, and if it is a conventional or limited slip (Traction-Lok®) type. In addition, the plant code will not change as long as that particular axle assembly never undergoes an external design change. If, however, an internal design change takes place during the production life of the axle and that internal change affects components interchangeability, a dash and numerical suffix is added to the plant code. This means that as an assembly both axles are interchangeable; however, internally they are different. Therefore, each requires different internal components at the time of repair.