Drive shafts — general information

Each end of the drive shaft is equipped with a constant velocity joint. All cars have a closed joint installed at the outer end of the shaft, which can be replaced but not repaired. Depending on the vehicle model, thrust bearings may or may not be installed on the shafts. With a shaft without a thrust bearing, a separate shaft is used, which has a tripod joint at the inner end. This shaft design can be found on both sides of the 1.6L engine and on the left side of the injection engine. On the version with a thrust bearing, a shaft is installed between the outer constant velocity joint and the ball joint. The ball joint is in a separate joint with its own shaft, which is guided by a thrust bearing and connected to the gearbox. Such a shaft is installed on the right side of a car with an injection engine. The outer end of the drive shaft is splined and attached to the front wheel hub. With ABS installed, there is a ring gear at the front end of the shaft. The inner end of the shaft is held by a spline and circlip inside the differential gear when a thrust bearing is not installed. With the thrust bearing installed in the box, the connecting shaft is fixed in the same way.

The shafts are fixed in different ways on the inside of the gearbox. Both constant velocity joints are protected from the outside by rubber cuffs and do not require regular maintenance.