8-1/4 and 9-1/4 Inch Ring Gear (Front Axle)

The front axle used on K model vehicles has a center disconnect feature that, under most conditions, allows shifting into and out of four-wheel drive when the vehicle is in motion. The axle is shifted by a thermal actuator.

The axle uses a conventional ring and pinion gear set to transmit the driving force of the engines to the wheels. The pinion gear is supported by two tapered roller bearings. The pinion depth is set by a shim located between the gear end of the pinion and the roller bearing that is pressed onto the pinion. The pinion bearing preload is set by crushing a collapsible spacer between the pinion bearings in the axle housing.

The ring gear is bolted onto the differential case with left-hand thread bolts.

The differential is used to allow the wheels to turn at different rates of speed while the front axle continues to transmit the driving force. This prevents tire scuffing when going around corners and prevents premature wear on internal axle parts.

The differential case is supported in the axle housing by two tapered roller bearings. The differential and ring gear are located in relationship to the pinion by using threaded adjusters.

The axle identification is an alphanumeric broadcast code located on a tag attached to the right axle tube.

The axle is produced with 8 1/4 inch and 9 1/4 inch ring gears. The 8 1/4 inch ring gear is used on K1 and K2 models; the 9 1/4 inch ring gear is used on K3 models.

The drive axles are completely flexible assemblies consisting of inner and outer Constant Velocity (CV) joints protected by thermoplastic boots and connected by an axle shaft.