Driveline System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford RV Cutaway, 2003 Ford Econoline, 2003 Ford E550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2003 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The driveline transfers engine torque to the drive wheels. Power is transmitted through the transmission to the driveshaft (4602) and then to the rear axle assembly (4006).

There are two types of driveshafts used:

A one-piece driveshaft for standard wheelbase vehicles (124 in and 138 in).
A two-piece driveshaft for longer wheelbase vehicles. The two-piece design includes a front, or "coupling" shaft, a rubber-insulated frame-mounted driveshaft center bearing, a splined slip joint and an intermediate universal joint (158 in and greater).

For additional information on the driveshaft, refer to DRIVESHAFT .

For additional information on the rear axle (4001), refer to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 60 & 70 , WHEEL HUBS AND BEARINGS - FULL FLOATING AXLE , DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - 8.8-INCH RING GEAR or REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 9.75-INCH .

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.

VEHICLE CERTIFICATION (VC) LABEL EXAMPLE

Fig 1: Locating Vehicle Certification (VC) Label

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

The vehicle certification (VC) label is located in the driver door jamb. The axle code is on the VC label.

DANA REAR AXLE IDENTIFICATION TAG

Fig 2: Identifying Dana Rear Axle Identification Tag

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

FORD REAR AXLE IDENTIFICATION TAG

Fig 3: Identifying Ford Rear Axle Identification Tag

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

FORD AXLE IDENTIFICATION TAG DENOTING INTERCHANGEABILITY AFFECTED INTERNALLY

Fig 4: Identifying Ford Axle Identification Tag Denoting Interchangeability

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: The metal 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(R)) 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 parts 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 parts at the time of repair.