DESCRIPTION
This vehicle is equipped with an unequal length halfshaft system consisting of short left and long right halfshafts. The halfshafts consist of a fixed constant velocity (CV) joint at the outboard end connected by a solid shaft to a plunging CV joint on the inboard end. The inner (CV) joint has a splined connection into the transmission. The outer joint has a spline connection to the wheel hub and is retained with a steel lock nut.
All the halfshaft assemblies use the same type of inner and outer joints. The inner joint is a tripod joint that allows for the changes in halfshaft length through the jounce and rebound travel of the front suspension. The outer joint is a Rzeppa joint that allows articulation during front suspension travel and steering. Both tripod joints and Rzeppa joints are true constant velocity (CV) joint assemblies.
The inner tripod joints are designed with a retention feature that prevents the tripod rollers from coming out of the inner joint housing up to a specific load. If this feature is overcome and any of the rollers are pulled past the retention feature the joint will lock up and no longer function properly. The entire halfshaft assembly must be replaced if it locks up.
Scheme 1
The general appearance of the Halfshafts should be clean and oil free around the CV (3) and tripod (1) boots (2). Grease on or around the boots is a sign of leakage and the boots or halfshaft should be replaced.