Front Drive Axle Description and Operation

The Front Drive Axle consist of the following components:

• Differential Carrier Housing
• Differential Assembly
• Left and Right Output Shafts
• Inner Axle Shaft Housing
• Inner Axle Shaft

The front axle on the four-wheel-drive model vehicle does not have a central disconnect feature. The axle uses a conventional ring and pinion gear set in order to transmit the driving force of the engine to the wheels. The open differential allows the wheels to turn at different rates of speed while the axle continues to transmit the driving force. This prevents tire scuffing when going around corners and premature wear on internal axle parts. The ring and pinion set and the differential are contained within the carrier. The axle identification number on top of the differential carrier assembly or on a label on the right half of differentia carrier assembly. The drive axles are completely flexible assemblies consisting of inner and outer constant velocity CV joints protected by thermoplastic boots and connected by a wheel drive shaft.