Easy tips

Do FWD cars have a transfer case?

Do FWD cars have a transfer case?

Typically the lower-priced versions of that vehicle come equipped with FWD. Instead of a transfer case between the front and rear drive shafts, there’s an open differential.

What is a front transfer case?

A car transfer case is the place where power in a four-wheel-drive car is transferred to the back wheels. The majority of cars have front-wheel drive, but a transfer case is needed to send power to the back wheels. The case itself is the place where the prop shaft connects to both the back wheels and the engine.

Can a transfer case be used for both driveshafts?

Gear driven transfer cases can utilize sets of gears in order to drive both the rear and front driveshafts, or only the front driveshaft. These are generally heavy and strong units that are commonly used in large trucks. However, there are several gear drive cases that are manufactured for passenger cars.

Where is the output shaft on a transfer case?

The output shaft is built inside the transfer case with a drive shaft attached to it. Some drive shafts on four-wheel drive vehicles are made of two pieces with a front slip yoke and some are two pieces with a center slip yoke. The two-piece drive shaft with a center yoke attaches to a bolted on, built-in yoke sleeve into the transfer case.

How do you replace a front slip drive shaft?

If you have a front slip yoke drive shaft, remove the bolts to the drive shaft on the rear axle. Use a large flat screwdriver and slightly pry out the drive shaft and universal joint from the yoke on the axle. Tip: Hold the caps to the universal joint so they don’t fall off and tape them up with masking tape.

How does a four wheel drive shaft work?

Some drive shafts on four-wheel drive vehicles are made of two pieces with a front slip yoke and some are two pieces with a center slip yoke. The two-piece drive shaft with a center yoke attaches to a bolted on, built-in yoke sleeve into the transfer case.

How is the drive shaft attached to the transfer case?

The drive shaft connects to the transfer case at one end and the front pinion yoke on the other. On some early models, the drive shaft had a flange that bolted to the transfer case but in later model years, the flange became a yoke similar to the one on the axle housing. Raise the front of your Chevy with a jack.

How do you mark a front drive shaft?

Using a paint pen, place a mark on the drive shaft and one on the yoke to ensure you place the shaft back in the same position when reinstalling it. The drive shaft is balanced and if it installed in a different orientation, it may wobble or vibrate, damaging the shaft, U-joints, axle and transfer case. Mark both ends of the shaft.

Where is the front drive shaft on a Chevy truck?

Place a set of jack stands under the frame and lower the jack, allowing the truck to rest securely on the jack stands. Locate the front drive shaft under the truck. The drive shaft is a long cylindrical shaft running from the axle housing to the transfer case just behind the engine.

How to replace a front axle shaft seal?

If you have ever owned a GM four wheel drive vehicle then there is a good chance you have had a front axle shaft seal leak. We replaced the RH output shaft seal on a Tahoe but it is the same for Silverado, Sierra,Suburban and Yukon. Part one shows details on the tear down and part two with guide you through the reassembly. Loading…

Author Image
Ruth Doyle