Outer Joints

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To achieve greater articulation the outer joint has 6 ball bearings located in a cage running on convex grooves on the inner race and longitudinal elliptical grooves in the outer joint. The outer joint construction allows the joint to turn at the same speed as the shaft when in line and when the joint is turned through any position up to 45 degrees. The name for this type of joint is "constant velocity". This design applies to the outer joints on all models. See Fig 1 and Fig 2 .

Fig 1: Identifying Drive Shaft Outer Joint Components (1 Of 2)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fig 2: Identifying Drive Shaft Outer Joint Components (2 Of 2)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.