How does the axle work on a Dodge Grand Caravan?
How does the axle work on a Dodge Grand Caravan?
The axle on a Dodge Grand Caravan transfers power to the wheels from the transmission. The axle’s only weak point is the CV joints on either side of the shaft. These joints provide flexibility in the shaft for normal turning and to absorb vibration from uneven road surfaces. However, the protective boot is prone to failure over time.
How does a CV axle work on a front wheel drive car?
A typical inner CV joint has three rollers on a tripod (spider) that can slide inside the CV joint housing, so the CV axle can extend or contract as needed. Typical CV axle (shaft) of a front wheel drive car with a Rzeppa outer CV joint and closed tripod-style inner joint. The inner CV joint can work under small angle too.
When does a CV axle need to be replaced?
A CV axle is needed when a vehicle has an independent suspension on drive wheels. In an independent suspension, the left and right wheels move up and down following the road surface independently of each other.
What kind of joints does a CV axle have?
A CV axle or shaft has two constant-velocity or CV joints: inner and outer. A typical inner CV joint has three rollers on a tripod (spider) that can slide inside the CV joint housing, so the CV axle can extend or contract as needed. Typical CV axle (shaft) of a front wheel drive car with a Rzeppa outer CV joint and closed tripod-style inner joint.
The axle on a Dodge Grand Caravan transfers power to the wheels from the transmission. The axle’s only weak point is the CV joints on either side of the shaft. These joints provide flexibility in the shaft for normal turning and to absorb vibration from uneven road surfaces. However, the protective boot is prone to failure over time.
How to repair CV drive axle on Dodge Caravan?
Rotate the axle by hand until the splines align properly to the groove. Reconnect the remaining components by reversing the procedure. Be sure to torque the hub nut, outer tie rod end nut and ball joint retaining nut to the proper torque specifications of your specific year Caravan.
Is the Dodge Caravan a front wheel drive vehicle?
by Jody L. Campbell. The Dodge Caravan has been a front-wheel drive minivan since its inception. Front-wheel drive vehicles all employ constant velocity (CV) drive axles that bridge the connection from the transmission to the front wheels.
A typical inner CV joint has three rollers on a tripod (spider) that can slide inside the CV joint housing, so the CV axle can extend or contract as needed. Typical CV axle (shaft) of a front wheel drive car with a Rzeppa outer CV joint and closed tripod-style inner joint. The inner CV joint can work under small angle too.
Rotate the axle by hand until the splines align properly to the groove. Reconnect the remaining components by reversing the procedure. Be sure to torque the hub nut, outer tie rod end nut and ball joint retaining nut to the proper torque specifications of your specific year Caravan.
How do you remove a CV axle from a car?
Once the outer spindle connection of the CV axle is free from the knuckle, you’ll need a large pry bar to disengage the inner tri-pot joint out of the transaxle and remove the CV axle from the transmission. This is where some fluid will leak into the drain bucket.
Where to put drain bucket on Dodge Caravan CV joint?
At this point, it’s wise to place a drain bucket beneath the transaxle side of the CV joint connection to catch trickling transaxle fluid that will leak out once the connection of the axle to transmission is separated.
Once the outer spindle connection of the CV axle is free from the knuckle, you’ll need a large pry bar to disengage the inner tri-pot joint out of the transaxle and remove the CV axle from the transmission. This is where some fluid will leak into the drain bucket.
At this point, it’s wise to place a drain bucket beneath the transaxle side of the CV joint connection to catch trickling transaxle fluid that will leak out once the connection of the axle to transmission is separated.
