Drive/Propeller Shaft: Description and Operation

DESCRIPTION

REAR

WARNING: Due to propeller shaft imbalance concerns, rear propeller shaft service is limited to center support bearing and coupler replacement only. The rear segment single-cardan universal joint is not serviceable.

Both RWD and AWD models utilize a "two-piece" rear propeller shaft design to transmit torque to the rear axle assembly. This two-piece design consists of:

- Front and rear shaft segments
- Center support bearing/bracket assembly
- Single-Cardan u-joint at rear segment/bearing interface
- Rubber couplers at transmission and rear axle flanges
- Fore-mounted vibration damper (V6 Models)




Figure 1 - Rear Propeller Shaft Assembly (V8 System Shown)





The front shaft segment is designed with a collapsing feature, consisting of two concentric tubes secured by shear pins. This feature allows the tubes to telescope up to 200 mm (8 in.) during certain impacts.

The flexible rubber couplers at the transmission and axle flanges absorb vibration. The low-travel Single-Cardan universal joint permits the minimal axial and angular variations that occur with independent rear suspension.

Additionally, models equipped with the V6 engine utilize a vibration damper which is designed to absorb and isolate driveline vibrations and harmonics. This damper is mounted to the front segment, sandwiched between the coupler and propeller shaft.

FRONT




Figure 2 - Front Propeller Shaft Assembly





WARNING: Due to propeller shaft imbalance concerns, front propeller shaft service is limited to rubber coupler and entire shaft replacement. The single-cardan universal joints are not serviceable.

AWD models utilize a "two-piece" front propeller shaft design to transmit torque to the front axle assembly. This two-piece design consists of:

- Front and rear shaft segments
- Single-Cardan u-joints at end flanges
- Rubber boot at front/rear segment interface