General description of final drive and drive shafts

1. The final drive unit, which also includes the differential gears, is bolted to the rear suspension cross member. The unit has a cast aluminum crankcase fitted with external ribs to increase structural rigidity and heat exchange area. A bracket installed between the main gear case and the suspension cross member, in which a rubber damper block is mounted, controls the displacement of the main gear during its operation.

2. On advanced models, a self-locking differential is used instead of the usual one. It includes a mechanism that regulates the difference in the speed of rotation of the left and right drive shafts. Under normal conditions, the mechanism slips, but when the difference in the speed of rotation of the drive shafts exceeds a certain value, for example, when the drive wheel slips, the lock is activated, thus preventing transmission of drive to only one of the wheels.

3. Driveshafts equipped with Rzeppa CV joints transfer drive from the final drive differential to the rear wheels. Inner CV joints include ABS sensor slip rings (see related section). The CV joints are protected by grease-filled rubber boots.

4. A two-piece hollow propeller shaft transmits the drive from the transmission to the final drive unit. The shaft is equipped with a central bearing enclosed in a rubber bushing. The front end of the rear section of the shaft carries a universal joint, the rear end of the front section is equipped with a splined joint. The cardan shaft is attached to the transmission and differential with elastic hinges.

Main gear type

5. The type of final drive is indicated on the identification plate attached to the bottom wall of the unit (see illustration).