Description and operation

C205f axle

DESCRIPTION

The C205F ( C orporate 205 mm ring gear F ront) axle consists of an alumunum center section with an axle tube extending from one side. The tube is pressed into the differential housing.

The integral type housing, hypoid gear design has the centerline of the pinion set below the centerline of the ring gear.

The axle has a fitting for a vent hose used to relieve internal pressure caused by vaporization and internal expansion.

The power is transferred from the axle through two constant velocity (C/V) drive shafts to the wheel hubs. The drive shafts are identical and interchangeable.

The cover provides a means for inspection and service without removing the axle from the vehicle.

The C205F axle has the assembly date and gear ratio listed on a tag. The tag is attached to the housing cover by a cover bolt.

The differential case is a one-piece design. The differential pinion mate shaft is retained with a rollpin.

Differential bearing preload and ring gear backlash is adjusted by the use of shims (select thickness).

The shims are located between the differential bearing cups and the axle housing. Pinion bearing preload is set and maintained by the use of a collapsible spacer.

OPERATION

The axle receives power from the transfer case through the front propeller shaft. The front propeller shaft is connected to the pinion gear which rotates the differential through the gear mesh with the ring gear bolted to the differential case. The engine power is transmitted to the axle shafts through the pinion mate and side gears. The side gears are splined to the axle shafts.

Lubricant

DESCRIPTION

A multi-purpose, hypoid gear lubricant which conforms to the following specifications should be used.

Mopart Hypoid Gear Lubricant conforms to all of these specifications

• The lubricant should have MIL-L-2105C and API GL 5 quality specifications
• Lubricant is a thermally stable SAE 80W-90 gear lubricant.

The C205F axle lubricant capacity is 1.66 L (3.5 pts.).

CAUTION: If axle is submerged in water, lubricant must be replaced immediately to avoid possible premature axle failure.

Standard differential

DESCRIPTION

The differential gear system divides the torque between the axle shafts. It allows the axle shafts to rotate at different speeds when turning corners.

Each differential side gear is splined to an axle shaft. The pinion gears are mounted on a pinion mate shaft and are free to rotate on the shaft. The pinion gear is fitted in a bore in the differential case and is positioned at a right angle to the axle shafts.

OPERATION

In operation, power flow occurs as follows:

• The pinion gear rotates the ring gear
• The ring gear (bolted to the differential case) rotates the case
• The differential pinion gears (mounted on the pinion mate shaft in the case) rotate the side gears
• The side gears (splined to the axle shafts) rotate the shafts

During straight-ahead driving, the differential pinion gears do not rotate on the pinion mate shaft. This occurs because input torque applied to the gears is divided and distributed equally between the two side gears. As a result, the pinion gears revolve with the pinion mate shaft but do not rotate around it (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Differential Operation-Straight Ahead Driving

1 - IN STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING EACH WHEEL ROTATES AT 100% OF CASE SPEED

2 - PINION GEAR

3 - SIDE GEAR

4 - PINION GEARS ROTATE WITH CASE

When turning corners, the outside wheel must travel a greater distance than the inside wheel to complete a turn. The difference must be compensated for to prevent the tires from scuffing and skidding through turns. To accomplish this, the differential allows the axle shafts to turn at unequal speeds (Fig.

2). In this instance, the input torque applied to the pinion gears is not divided equally. The pinion gears now rotate around the pinion mate shaft in opposite directions. This allows the side gear and axle shaft attached to the outside wheel to rotate at a faster speed.

Fig. 2 Differential Operation-On Turns

1 - PINION GEARS ROTATE ON PINION SHAFT