blies consisting of an inner and outer flexible joint
connected by an solid shaft (Fig. 1) (Fig. 2). Trans-
axle packaging and location requires the use of
unequal length halfshafts, with the left shaft being
longer than the right.

The inner joints are of a tripod design (Fig. 2), and

allow for axial and angular movement to accommo-
date for shifting of powertrain and suspension com-
ponents. The inner joints incorporate a female spline
which install over the transaxle stub shafts.

The outer joints are of a Rzeppa design (Fig. 2),

and only offer angular flexibility. The outer joints
incorporate a male spline, which connect to the wheel
hub/bearing. The outer joint is fastened to the hub to
ensure that there is no axial movement (end-play).

Both inner and outer joints utilize flexible “boots”

(Fig. 1) (Fig. 2) which maintain grease within the
joints, protect the joints from the environment/ele-
ments, and facilitate the axial and angular move-
ment of the joints. The inner joint boots are
constructed of silicone rubber. The outer boots are
made of Hytrel plastic.

NOTE: When halfshaft boots are replaced be sure
boots of the correct material are used.

OPERATION

Halfshaft assemblies are designed to transmit

power from the transaxle to the front wheels, while
allowing for powertrain and suspension flex.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - DRIVELINE

HALFSHAFT VISUAL INSPECTION

(1) Check for grease in the vicinity of the inboard

tripod joint and outboard C/V joint; this is a sign of
inner or outer joint seal boot or seal boot clamp dam-
age.

(2) A light film of grease may appear on the inner

tripod joint seal boot; this is considered normal and
should not require replacement of the seal boot. All
inner tripod joint seal boots are made of silicone rub-
ber; which will allow the weeping (sweating) of the
joint lubricant to pass through it while in operation.

DRIVELINE

3 - 1

NOISE AND/OR VIBRATION IN TURNS

A clicking noise and/or a vibration in turns could

be caused by one of the following conditions:

(1) Damaged outer C/V or inner tripod joint seal

boot or seal boot clamps. This will result in the loss
and/or contamination of the joint grease, resulting in
inadequate lubrication of the joint.

(2) Noise may also be caused by another compo-

nent of the vehicle coming in contact with the half-
shafts.

CLUNKING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION

This noise may be a result of one of the following

conditions:

(1) A torn seal boot on the inner or outer joint of

the halfshaft assembly.

(2) A loose or missing clamp on the inner or outer

joint of the halfshaft assembly.

(3) A damaged or worn halfshaft C/V joint.

SHUDDER OR VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION

This problem could be a result of:
(1) A worn or damaged halfshaft inner tripod joint.
(2) A sticking tripod joint spider assembly (inner

tripod joint only).

(3) Improper wheel alignment. (Refer to 2 - SUS-

PENSION/WHEEL

ALIGNMENT

STANDARD

PROCEDURE)

VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

This problem could be a result of:
(1) Foreign material (mud, snow, etc.) packed on

the backside of the wheel(s).

(2) Out of balance front tires or wheels. (Refer to

22 - TIRES/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCEDURE)

(3) Improper tire and/or wheel runout. (Refer to 22

- TIRES/WHEELS - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)

Fig. 1 Front Halfshaft Assemblies

1 - INNER BOOT

7 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT

2 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT

8 - OUTER RZEPPA JOINT

3 - OUTER BOOT

9 - INNER BOOT

4 - RIGHT HALF SHAFT

10 - LEFT HALF SHAFT

5 - TONE WHEEL
(WHEN EQUIPPED WITH ABS)

11 - OUTER BOOT

6 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT

3 - 2

HALFSHAFT

HALFSHAFT (Continued)

Fig. 2 Halfshaft Component Identification

1 - HOUSING ASM, RETAINER

11 - CLAMP, SEAL RETAINING

2 - RING, SPACER

12 - SHAFT, AXLE (RH SHOWN, LH SIMILAR)

3 - SPIDER, TRIPOD JOINT

13 - SEAL, DRIVE AXLE OUTBOARD

4 - RING, RETAINING

14 - CLAMP, SEAL RETAINING

5 - RETAINER, BALL & ROLLER

15 - RING, RACE RETAINING

6 - BALL, TRIPOD JOINT

16 - BALL, CHROME ALLOY

7 - ROLLER, NEEDLE

17 - RACE, C/V JOINT INNER

8 - CLAMP, SEAL RETAINING

18 - CAGE, C/V JOINT

9 - BUSHING, TRILOBAL TRIPOD

19 - RACE, C/V JOINT OUTER

10 - SEAL, DRIVE AXLE INBOARD

HALFSHAFT

3 - 3

HALFSHAFT (Continued)

REMOVAL

(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a

frame contact type hoist.

(2) Remove the front wheel and tire assembly from

the vehicle.

(3) Remove the front caliper assembly from the

front steering knuckle assembly (Fig. 3).

(4) Remove front braking disk (rotor) from hub, by

pulling it straight off wheel mounting studs (Fig. 4).

(5) Remove the speed sensor cable routing bracket

from the strut assembly (Fig. 5).

(6) Remove

the

hub

and

bearing-to-stub

axle

retaining nut (Fig. 6).

(7) Dislodge inner tripod joint from stub shaft

retaining snap ring on transaxle assembly (Fig. 7).
Inner tripod joint is dislodged from stub shaft retain-
ing snap ring, by inserting a pry bar between trans-
axle case and inner tripod joint and prying on tripod
joint. Only disengage the inner tripod joint from
the retaining snap ring. Do not attempt to
remove the inner tripod joint from the trans-
mission stub shaft at this time.

CAUTION: The strut assembly to steering knuckle
bolts are serrated where they go through strut
assembly and steering knuckle. When removing
bolts, turn nuts off bolts. DO NOT TURN BOLTS IN
STEERING KNUCKLE. If bolts are turned, damage
to steering knuckle will result.

(8) Remove the strut assembly to steering knuckle

attaching bolts (Fig. 8).

(9) Remove the top of the steering knuckle from

the strut assembly.

(10) Hold outer C/V joint assembly with one hand.

Grasp steering knuckle with other and rotate it out
and to the rear of the vehicle, until outer C/V joint
clears hub and bearing assembly (Fig. 9).

Fig. 3 Disc Brake Caliper Mounting

1 - BRAKE LINE
2 - CALIPER GUIDE PIN BOLTS
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
4 - BLEEDER SCREW
5 - CALIPER ASSEMBLY

Fig. 4 Removing Braking Disc

1 - HUB
2 - STEERING KNUCKLE
3 - BRAKE ROTOR (DISC)
4 - WHEEL MOUNTING STUD

Fig. 5 Speed Sensor Cable Routing Bracket

1 - STRUT ASSEMBLY
2 - ROUTING BRACKET
3 - SCREW
4 - SPEED SENSOR CABLE

3 - 4

HALFSHAFT

HALFSHAFT (Continued)

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