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DRIVESHAFT
2
2. DRIVE SHAFT PARTS
BOOTS:
Driveshaft assemblies use inboard and outboard
joint Boots. The inboard and outboard Boots are
made of thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic
material performs well against normal handling
and operational wear conditions. However, it is
not strong enough to withstand abusive handling
or damage due to objects such as sharp tools or
the sharp edges of any other surrounding
component in the vehicle.
The functions of the Boot are as below:
•
To protect the internal parts of the inboard
and outboard joint by protecting the grease
from surrounding detrimental atmospheric
conditions such as stones, dirt, water, salt,
etc.
•
Facilitate angular and axial movement as
applicable for inboard and outboard joints.
CLAMPS:
These are made of stainless steel. The clamps
provide a leak proof connection at housing and
axle shaft for the inboard and outboard joints.
OUTER JOINT (OUT BOARD JOINT):
The outer joints use the Constant Velocity (CV)
joint design, which is the standard outboard joint
for front wheel drive cars. It is a fixed centre ball
type joint.
The outer housing is made using special steels by
cold forming process followed by heat treatment.
The cold-formed surfaces give superior wear
resistance and increased joint life. The main
function of the outboard joint is to allow the
vehicle’s wheels to turn during steering operation
or have a steer capability.
INNER JOINT (IN BOARD JOINT):
This is a Constant Velocity universal joint radically
self-supported and permitting axial movement
consisting of a housing directly connected to the
axle shaft through three equally spaced
transmission mounted balls. These are made of
special steels through complex forming process
followed by heat treatment. The main function of
the inboard joint is to allow the half shaft assembly
to compensate for suspension movement in the
vehicle by allowing the shaft to move axially or
stroke in the inboard housing.
AXLE SHAFT:
The axle shaft simply connects the inboard joint
and the outboard joint. It is made out of special
steel heat treated to give optimum strength and
fatigue performance. The function of the axle shaft
is to transmit torque and rotation to the wheel from
the transmission.
3. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR TESTING
DRIVE SHAFT NOISE:
•
Ensure that the DRIVER is alone in the vehicle
while conducting the test.
•
All the windows of the vehicle should be fully
rolled- up to reduce the disturbances caused
by external noises.
•
Drive on a smooth stretch of road and pay
particular attention to various noises
emanating from the front portion of the vehicle.
Observe the changes in noise levels through
speeds between 10 to 60 kmph (6 and 36
mph).
•
It should be noted here that the driver may
encounter difficulty in distinguishing between
similar sounding noises resulting from either
the drive shaft or the underbody (for example
noise from strut and caliper).
•
Therefore, it is advised that the car be driven
on uneven and bumpy surfaces as well, to
observe the noises which may then be
attributable to the underbody.
•
Focus on that side of the car being considered
for the drive shaft complaint.
•
Tests for CV (wheel side) and Inboard (Motor
side) joints are different and need to be
conducted separately.