Description And Operation: Driveshaft

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: All driveshafts are balanced. If undercoating the vehicle, protect the driveshaft and U-joints to prevent overspray of any undercoating material.

Vehicles have the following types of driveshafts:

Front driveshaft with CV joints at the front and rear ends of the driveshaft. The only serviceable part of the front driveshaft is the mounting hardware. The front driveshaft can be balanced by methods described in the General Driveline article. Refer to DRIVELINE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
One-piece rear driveshafts with a rear U-joint flange and a slip yoke
Two-piece rear driveshafts with a front flanged U-joint or slip yoke, center bearing with a slip joint and a flanged U-joint at the rear

Driveshafts are used to transfer movement from the transmission or transfer case to the front or rear axle. The driveshaft is composed of the U-joints, CV joints, connecting shafts and the attaching yokes. Some vehicles are equipped with a center support bearing. The center support bearing is prelubricated and sealed for the life of the bearing.

Driveshafts differ in length, diameter and type of yoke to accommodate various wheelbase and powertrain combinations.