Driveline System
The driveline system consists of the following components:
- Rear drive axles with varying diameter ring gears and differential designs
- Front drive axle
- Front halfshafts
- One-piece rear driveshaft with 2 U-joints and a front slip yoke or flange
- One-piece front driveshaft with one front U-joint, a slip yoke and a rear constant velocity (CV) joint
On four wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, power is transmitted from the engine through the transmission to the transfer case. The transfer case directs power through the front driveshaft to the front axle assembly, and through the rear driveshaft to the rear axle. On rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles, power is transmitted through the transmission to the driveshaft and then to the rear axle. U-joints and CV joints are used at both ends of the driveshaft to allow for angular motions. Slip yokes are used to allow for any changes to the length of the driveshaft. 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 rotate the drive wheels.
The rear driveshaft is connected to the output shaft of the transmission and to the rear axle. The front driveshaft is connected to the transfer case and to the front axle.
The driveline angles are built into the engine mounts. If the driveline angles are out of specification, the engine mounts must be inspected for damage. Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure.
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 information on the VC label, refer to IDENTIFICATION CODES article.
A manufacturing date code and a complete part number are stamped on the left carrier arm between the fill plug and axle end. A metal axle identification tag is attached to the differential by a housing cover bolt.
| 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 |
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Plant code |
| 2 | Denotes interchangeability affected internally |
| 3 | Axle ratio |
| 4 | Denotes Traction-Lok® |
| 5 | Ring gear diameter (inch) |
| 6 | Build year |
| 7 | Build month |
| 8 | Build day |
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.