Front Axle

DESCRIPTION

The welded steel front axle casing houses a separate spiral bevel type differential unit, which is off set to the right of the vehicle centre line. The differential unit drives the front wheels via the axle shafts and constant velocity joints which are totally enclosed in the spherical and swivel housings.

The front axles fitted with ABS brakes or non ABS brakes are of the same construction except for different top swivel pins in the swivel housing and a sensor on the constant velocity joint.

Front axle - ABS

The front wheels are pivoted on taper roller bearings 19 at the bottom of the swivel housing and a 'Rialco bush' 25 at the top. The top swivel pin also houses the ABS pickup (electrical connection).

Front axle - non ABS

The front wheels are pivoted on tape roller bearings at the top (see insert) and bottom of the swivel housing. The wheel hubs on all axles are supported by two taper bearings and driven by drive flanges which are splined to the one piece, stub shaft/constant velocity joint.

Lubrication

The differential, swivel pin housing and wheel hubs are individually lubricated and separated by oil seals 7 and B to prevent oil transfer across the axle when the vehicle is traversing steep inclines. The wheel bearings are lubricated with grease and the swivel housing and differential with oil.

Ventilation

Ventilation of the differential is through a plastic pipe 2 which terminates at a high level in the vehicle on both ABS and non ABS axles. The swivel housings ventilate through axle shaft oil seals 8 into the differential and the hub bearings vent via the oil seals into swivel housing.

Front axle






1. Axle casing
2. Ventilation pipe
3. Axle shaft
4. Wheel studs and hub
5. Stub axle
6. Wheel bearings (2)
7. Inner and outer hub seals
8. Axle shaft seal
9. Hub lock plate, thrust washer and nuts (2)
10. Brake disc
11. Drive flange
12. Shim washer and circlip
13. Dust cap
14. Constant velocity joint/shaft
15. Thrust collar for CV joint
16. Roller bearing
17. Spacer
18. Circlip
19. Bottom swivel taper bearing
20. Top and bottom swivel pins
21. Spherical housing, seal and retainer
22. Swivel housing
23. Constant velocity shaft seal
24. ABS pickup (electrical connection)
25. 'Rialco' bush ABS