passes through the axle bearing to the drive axle and on to
the wheel and tire. Figure 16-36 shows three versions of
the semi-floating axle.
Figure 16-36A shows a semi-floating axle using a ball
bearing. This is a pregreased bearing. There is an axle seal
behind the bearing. The axle collar is pressed onto the axle
shaft. The bearing and axle are held in the housing by an
axle retainer plate, mounted on the outer end of the rear
axle housing. The retainer plate and bearing control end-
play during turns.
Figure 16-36B shows a roller bearing version of the
semi-floating axle. This bearing is lubricated by rear end
lubricant. The axle seal is installed in front of the bearing.
When this kind of bearing is used, the axle is held in the
housing by a clip on the inboard end of the shaft, at the dif-
ferential assembly. This kind of axle is sometimes called a
C-lock axle, because of the shape of the locking clip.
Endplay on turns is controlled by the fit of the axle shaft
between the C-lock and the other parts of the differential
assembly.
Figure 16-36C shows a semi-floating axle using a
tapered roller bearing. This type of axle is usually found on
older vehicles. When this type of bearing is used, there is
usually some provision for adjusting the bearing preload to
control endplay. This is generally done by using axle shims
or by turning an adjusting nut. Tapered roller bearings may
be packed with grease or lubricated from the rear axle
328 Manual Drive Trains and Axles
Rubber seat
Coil spring
Differential
mounting insulator
Differential
assembly
Drive
axle
Insulator
Bumper rubber
Dust cover
Shock absorber
Disc rotor
Suspension arm
Suspension
member stay
Stabilizer
Figure 16-34. Axle shafts used on vehicles having independent rear suspensions somewhat resemble drive shafts. A flexible joint,
such as a CV joint, is used on each end of each shaft.
Shaft
inner
seal
Axle
retainer plate
Axle shaft
Axle flange
(wheel hub)
Seal
retainer
Shaft
outer seal
Axle
collar
Axle
bearing
Figure 16-35. Drive axle and related components are shown
here. The external splines on the inboard end of the axle mate
with the matching internal splines in the differential side gear.
The axle flange is a mounting surface for the brake drum or
rotor and wheel. The bearing is kept in place by the axle collar.
The axle retainer plate keeps the axle and bearing retained in
the axle tube. (DaimlerChrysler)