Output Shaft
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Monterey and 2004 Ford Freestar. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The output shaft is splined to one of the differential side gears on one end, supported by the driven sprocket and driven sprocket support on the other end. This allows power flow through the differential for even output torque to the drive axles.