205-04-4
Front Drive Halfshafts
205-04-4
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (
CONTINUED
)
E7823 EN
07/2001 2002 Bantam
Item
Description
1
Fixed ball joint
2
Clamping strap (large)
3 Boot
4
Clamping strap (small)
5
Drive halfshaft retaining snap-ring,
wheel end
6
Front drive halfshaft
7
Drive halfshaft retaining snap-ring,
transmission end
8
Tripod star with constant velocity roll-
ers
9 Tripod
housing
10
Intermediate shaft with intermediate
shaft bearing
Working principle of the front drive halfshafts
1. The front drive halfshafts transmit torque
from the engine to the wheels.
2. In order to allow engine movement and
vertical movement of the wheels, the front
drive halfshafts operate at varying lengths
and angles.
3. The tripod joints allow for changes in drive
halfshaft length during axial movements.
Handling front drive halfshafts
NOTE:
Never hold the front drive halfshaft just by
the tripod joint.
The greatest care must be taken when installing,
removing, disassembling or assembling the front
drive halfshafts. Observe the following points:
1. When removing front drive halfshafts do not
pull on the tripod joints.
2. The inner tripod joint must not be bent at
more than 18 degrees, the outer one no
more than 45 degrees.
3. Check polished surfaces and splines for
damage.
4. Do not allow the boots to come into contact
with sharp edges, the engine when it is hot or
the exhaust system.
5. Do not drop the front axle drive halfshafts, as
this can cause interior damage to the boots,
which may not be visible from the outside.
6. Do not use the front drive halfshafts as levers
to install other vehicle components. The front
drive halfshafts must always be left hanging
freely.
7. The tripod joint can be damaged by knocks
outside the joint housing.
Wheel balancing, front
CAUTION: Using a portable wheel
balancing unit when the vehicle is lifted
completely off the ground will result in
damage to the tripod joints or boots, as
the joint is bent at a large angle and
therefore overheats.
If using portable wheel balancing equipment,
place a workshop jack under the lower
suspension arm of the wheel opposite the one
being balanced. This prevents the joints being
bent too far when the vehicle is lifted.
If possible, wheels should be removed from the
vehicle and balanced in a stationary balancing
machine.
Raise the vehicle.
CAUTION: Never use the joints or front
drive halfshafts as jacking points.
Towing the vehicle
CAUTION: Do not attach the towrope to
the front drive halfshaft.
Underbody protection and corrosion
prevention
NOTE:
The boots should be covered during
application of underbody protection or corrosion
prevention.
Foreign matter on the boots can cause premature
ageing of the material. Foreign matter on the
front drive halfshafts can cause imbalance.
