Driveshaft

Section 205-01 · Description and operation · revised 08/10/2006

CAUTION: All driveshafts are balanced. If undercoating the vehicle, protect the driveshaft and universal joints to prevent overspray of any undercoating material.

NOTE: Refer to Section 205-00 for driveshaft runout and balance, and indexing procedures.

The driveshaft is composed of the universal joints (U-joints), constant velocity (CV) joints, flex couplers, connecting shafts and the attaching yokes. Some vehicles are equipped with a center support bearing. The center support bearing is prelubricated and sealed for the life of the bearing. The vehicles have the following types of driveshafts:

• Driveshaft — the shaft that accommodates the change in length (slip) in the driveshaft system. The driveshaft is the shaft that is the input to the front or rear axle. The front driveshafts are not serviced.
• Coupling shaft — all shafts that connect the transmission to the rear axle, except for the driveshaft. Coupling shafts are attached to the chassis by a center support bearing.

Driveshafts differ in length, diameter and type of yoke to accommodate various wheelbase and powertrain combinations.