Principles of Operation

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 system enables the power generated by the engine and transferred through the transmission and, if applicable, transfer case, to place the vehicle in motion. Rotational torque received from the transmission or transfer case is delivered to the front and rear drive axles by way of the driveshafts. The U-joints or constant velocity (CV) joints at the ends of the shafts allow the shafts to rotate smoothly in an allowable angle plane. The rotational torque is introduced into the axle drive pinion which drives the differential ring gear. The ring gear is bolted to the differential case flange on the differential. The differential divides the torque between the right and left halfshaft while permitting the halfshafts to turn at different speeds when required, such as when cornering.