Turbo Models
Vehicles equipped with a turbo engine use an equal-length halfshaft system. The system incorporates 2 halfshaft assemblies (left and right) that consist of an inner and outer constant velocity (CV) joint, a solid interconnecting shaft, and an intermediate shaft/bearing assembly. See Fig 1.
Both halfshaft assemblies use the same type of inner and outer joints. The inner joint of both halfshaft assemblies is a tripod joint, and the outer joint of both halfshaft assemblies is a Rzeppa joint. Both tripod joints and Rzeppa joints are true CV joint assemblies. The inner tripod joint allows for the changes in halfshaft length through the jounce and rebound travel of the front suspension. On vehicles equipped with ABS brakes, the outer CV joint is equipped with a tone wheel used to determine vehicle speed for ABS brake operation.
The left halfshaft inner tripod joint and the intermediate shaft are both splined into the transaxle side gears. The left inner tripod joint is retained using a circlip located on its stub shaft. The intermediate shaft does not utilize a circlip at the inboard end as the support bearing bracket assembly provides for shaft retention. The intermediate shaft utilizes a circlip on its outboard end to retain the right shaft (tripod joint). Both outer CV joints have a stub shaft that is splined into the wheel hub and retained by a hub nut, nut lock, spring washer and cotter pin. See Figure.