Mustang V8-4.6L SC VIN Y (2004)
Axle Shaft Assembly: Description and Operation
Rear Drive Halfshafts
The rear wheel drive halfshaft system consists of and operates as follows:
^
Halfshafts transmit engine torque from the rear axle housing to the rear wheels.
^
Halfshafts rotate at approximately one-third the speed of a driveshaft and do not contribute to rotational vibration disturbances.
^
A Constant Velocity (CV) joint is a mechanism for transmitting uniform torque and rotary motion while operating through a range of angles.
^
CV joints at both inboard (differential) and outboard (wheel) ends provide operating smoothness.
^
The inboard CV joints are plunge-type joints that provide the axial movement necessary to affect shaft length changes.
^
The outboard CV joints have a higher angle capability than the inboard CV joints to accommodate suspension travel.
Inboard and outboard CV joints connect to a splined shaft.
A driveshaft bearing retainer circlip retains the splined inboard CV joint to the differential side gear. Install a new circlip every time you remove the
halfshaft from the vehicle.
A rear axle wheel hub retainer secures the interconnecting shaft and outboard CV joint to the rear hub.
