Driveline System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The driveline system consists of the:

driveshaft tube, slip yoke, U-joints and flange.
rear axle assembly with flange, pinion, ring gear, differential and axle shafts.

The source of the drivetrain's power is generated by the engine and delivered to the transmission. The driveline transfers the engine torque from the transmission through the driveshaft to the axle. The axle differential splits the torque between the axle shafts and sets the vehicle in motion.

Fig 1: Vehicle Certification (VC) Label Example

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 2: 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 (in)
5	Build year
6	Build month
7	Build day

The vehicle certification (VC) label is located in the driver door jamb. The axle code is on the VC label. For information on the VC label, refer to IDENTIFICATION CODES article.

Fig 3: Axle Identification Tag Denoting Interchangeability Affected Internally

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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

CAUTION: 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 or axle identification will not be possible in the future.

The rear axle identification tag is located on the rear axle, attached by a differential housing cover bolt.

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 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.