Drive/Propeller Shaft: Description and Operation

Driveshaft

Driveshaft - Component Location









GENERAL
Drive shafts are used to transmit drive from the transfer box to the front and rear differentials.
The front drive shaft is a 1-piece unit, connected to the transfer box and front differential unit via Constant Velocity (CV) joints.
The rear drive shaft is a 2-piece unit, supported on a central bearing due to its increased length. The rear drive shaft is connected to the transfer box and the rear differential via CV joints. These joints allow for angular deviations of the drive shaft due to acceleration and braking.
The front and rear drive shafts are not serviceable items and a failure will require the replacement of the complete drive shaft assembly.

FRONT DRIVESHAFT









The front drive shaft is constructed from 1.7 mm wall tubular steel. A CV joint is attached to each end of the drive shaft (see 'Halfshaft Joint' section for more information on CV joints). The shaft has an overall nominal length of 681 mm.
Each CV joint has 6 holes, which allow for attachment to the input flange of the front differential and the front output flange of the transfer box. The CV joints are secured to the front differential and transfer box with 6 Torx head adhesive retained bolts.
Three compression link washers are fitted under each pair of bolts. The washers are required to prevent compression of the CV joints attachment flange.
A shroud is pressed over the CV joint. The shroud seals to the joint body using an internal gasket and to the front output flange of the transfer box using an end cap and internal gasket. This prevents the ingress of dirt and moisture. The CV joints allow for movement of the drive shaft caused by small movements in the transmission and transfer box mountings.

REAR DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY









The rear driveshaft comprises front and rear shaft assemblies and a centrally mounted shaft bearing. The rear driveshaft has an overall length of 1282 mm.

Front Shaft Assembly
The front shaft assembly incorporates a crash feature within the tube, which controls the collapse of the drive shaft during a crash.
The front shaft assembly comprises a CV joint at the front and a splined shaft at the rear. The front shaft comprises a tube with welded, splined shafts at each end.
The forward splined shaft accepts the CV joint, which is secured with a circlip. The CV joint is packed with grease and sealed on both sides with metal shrouds to prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture. The CV joint (transfer box end) has 6 radial holes, which provide for the attachment to the transfer box rear output flange. The joint is secured to the output flange with 6 bolts, which screw into threaded holes in the flange. Three compression link washers are fitted under each pair of bolts. The CV joint is not a serviceable component and a failure would require replacement of the rear driveshaft assembly. The rear splined shaft mates with splines in the rear shaft universal joint and is pressed in and fixed with Locktite. A threaded hole is provided in the splined shaft to secure the front and rear driveshaft sections together. A machined surface on the shaft accepts the shaft bearing, which is a press fit.

Shaft
Bearing Assembly
The shaft bearing assembly comprises a pressed steel housing, a rubber bush and a ball bearing. The rubber bush is bonded into the housing. An internal metal ring, bonded to the bush, allows for the bearing to be press fitted into it. The rubber bush allows for small deviations in alignment and also absorbs vibrational forces. The shaft bearing assembly is located on studs, which are integral with the body, and secured with flanged nuts.

Rear Shaft Assembly
The rear shaft assembly comprises a universal joint at the front and a CV joint at the rear. The rear shaft comprises a tube with the welded universal joint at one end and a welded splined shaft at the opposite end.
The opposite end of the universal joint has a splined bore, which mates with the splined shaft on the rear of the front shaft assembly. A bolt and washer is fitted through the splined bore and screws into the splined shaft on the front shaft assembly, securing the front and rear shaft assemblies together.
The rear CV joint (final drive end) has 6 radial holes, which provide for the attachment to the rear differential input flange. The joint is secured to the input flange with 6 torx bolts, which screw into threaded holes in the flange. Three compression link washers are fitted under each pair of bolts. The rear splined shaft mates with splines in the rear shaft CV joint hub and is pressed in and fixed with Locktite.