Wheel drive shaft assemblies are flexible assemblies consisting of an inner and an outer constant velocity joint that is connected by an axle shaft. The inner joint is completely flexible and can move in and out. The outer joint is also flexible, but cannot move in and out.

Important: The seals should be protected from sharp tools and from the sharp edges of surrounding components. Any damage to the seals or clamps will result in the leakage of the grease out of and water into the inboard and outboard joints. This leads to noisy wheel drive shaft operation, and eventually, failure of the internal components.

Front wheel drive shaft assemblies use inboard and outboard joint seals made of thermoplastic material, and clamps made of stainless steel. The thermoplastic material performs well against normal handling and operational wear and conditions. However, the assembly is not strong enough to withstand abusive handling or damage due to objects such as sharp tools or the sharp edge of any other surrounding component in the vehicle.

The seal has the following functions:

The function of the clamps is to provide a leak proof connection at the housing and the axle shaft for the inboard and the outboard joints.

The inner joints use the tripot design without an over extension limitation retainer. The left wheel drive shaft uses a female spline that installs over a stub shaft protruding from the transaxle. The right wheel drive shaft incorporates a male spline and interlocks with the transaxle gears using barrel type snap rings.

The outer joints use the constant velocity (CV) joint design. The shaft end mating with the knuckle and the hub, incorporates a helical spline in order to ensure a tight, press type fit. The design provides a no end play condition between the hub bearing and the wheel drive shaft.