Front wheel drive axles are flexible assemblies.
Front wheel drive axles consist of the following components:
The front wheel drive shaft connects the front wheel drive shaft tripot joint and the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint.
The front wheel drive shaft tripot joint is completely flexible. The front wheel drive shaft tripot joint can move in and out.
The front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint is flexible, but the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint cannot move in and out.
The front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint and the front wheel drive shaft tripot joint boots in the front wheel drive axle are made of a thermoplastic material.
The clamps in the front wheel drive axle are made of stainless steel.
The boot provides the following functions:
The boot protects the grease from the following sources of damage:
Note:
Protect the boots from sharp tools and from the sharp edges of the surrounding components. Any damage to the boots or the clamps will result in leakage. Leakage will allow water to leak into the front wheel drive shaft tripot joint and the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joints. Leakage will also allow grease to leak out of the front wheel drive shaft tripot joints and the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joints. Leakage may cause noisy front wheel drive axle operation and eventual failure of the internal components.
The clamps provide a leak proof connection for the front wheel drive shaft tripot joint and the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint at the following locations:
The thermoplastic material performs well under normal conditions and normal operation. However, the material is not strong enough to withstand the following conditions:
The front wheel drive shaft tri-pot joint is made with the tripot design without an over-extension limitation retainer.
The joint is constructed as follows for vehicles that are equipped with an automatic transmission:
The front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint is made with the Rzeppa joint design.
The shaft end (which mates with the knuckle/hub) has a helical spline. The helical spline ensures a tight, press-type fit.
This design prevents end play between the hub bearing and the front wheel drive axle.
All-Season Tires
This vehicle may come with all-season tires. These tires are designed to provide
good overall performance on most road surfaces and weather conditions. Original
equipment tires designed to GM's specific tire performance criteria have a TPC specification
code molded onto the sidewall. Origi ...
Tire and Wheel Install Instruction
Installation Instructions Part Number
19156306
Note: Please read the following instructions carefully before mounting
the wheels on the vehicle.
Labels
Your application may require a new tire inflation pressure and mass label. This
label is provided as a guide for tire inflation pre ...
Fuel System Description
Fuel System Overview
The fuel system is an electronic returnless on-demand design. A returnless
fuel system reduces the internal temperature of the fuel tank by not returning
hot fuel from the engine to the fuel tank. Reducing the internal temperature
of the fuel tank results in lo ...