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Driveline
Automobile drivelines transfer energy from your engine to the drive
wheels.
Automotive drivelines fall into 3 categories:
Front-wheel-drive (FWD), rear-wheel-
drive (RWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD).
- Constant Velocity Joint (CV Joint)
- The CV Joint is a flexible coupling,
consisting of a ball and cage assembly and an outer race or
tripod. Allows Changes in the angle between two rotating shafts
without affecting the rate of rotation.
- Inner Constant Velocity Joint - The
inner section of the CV joint joins the inner end of the axle shaft to
the transaxle output shaft. It is a plunging joint that allows
the axle shaft to move in and out as the wheel and suspension travels
up and down.
- Outer Constant Velocity Joint - The
outer section joins the inner end of the axle shaft to the axle shaft
to the stub shaft in the wheel. It is a fixed joint that allows
a sharp angle between the shaft for steering.
- Constant Velocity Joint Boots - The
CV Joints are protected from dirt and water by flexible pleated boots,
they stop dirt and water from leaking in and prevent a loss of
lubrication.
- Universal Joint (U-Joint) - This
is a flexible coupling, consisting of two yokes with a steel
crosspiece and bearings joining them together. Allows for
changes in the angle between two rotating shafts.
In a FWD vehicle, power from the engine passes
through the transaxle, to the axle shafts, and then to the wheels. In a RWD
vehicle, power from the engine passes through the transmission, to the driveshaft, to
the rear axle assembly and then to the wheels. And in a 4WD vehicle, power from the
engine passes through the transmission, to the transfer case and then to the front and
rear driveshafts. The rear driveshaft connects to the rear axle assembly, and the
front driveshaft connects to the front axle assembly.
Key Benefits
- Improves Fuel Economy
- Reduces Transmission Wear
- Improves Handling Performance
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