Elements of cardan transmission
1 - elastic coupling; 2 – a flange of a secondary shaft of a transmission; 3 - mud deflector; 4 – a secondary shaft of a transmission; 5 - nut; 6 – sealant of the centering ring; 7 - centering ring; 8 - liners of the elastic coupling; 9 - bolt; 10 - cork; 11 - flange of the front propeller shaft; 12 - cuff; 13 - splined end of the front propeller shaft; 14 - front propeller shaft; 15 - intermediate support; 16 - rear driveshaft; 17 - flange fork; 18 - retaining ring; 19 - cardan bearing; 20 - cuff; 21 - cross; 22 - fork; 23 - elastic cushion; 24 - intermediate support bearing.
Design Description
The cardan gear consists of front and rear cardan shafts, an intermediate elastic support, an elastic coupling, a movable spline connection and two cardan joints. The presence of two universal joints and a spline connection makes it possible to transfer torque from the gearbox to the main gear at an angle that is constantly changing during suspension operation.
Cardan shafts are made of steel thin-walled tube. The front shaft has splined tips at both ends, and the rear shaft has universal joint forks.
The elastic coupling is designed to absorb vibrations and jerks in the driveline. Through two flanges, it connects the gearbox and the front driveshaft. Their alignment is ensured by a centering ring on the gearbox shaft and a centering sleeve in the cardan shaft flange.
The intermediate bearing consists of a deep groove ball bearing mounted in a bracket inside a rubber insulating pad. The bracket is fixed to the body with the help of a cross member through vibration isolating bushings.
The universal joint consists of two yokes mounted on shafts, which are interconnected by a cross. Needle bearings with sealing cups are put on the hollow spikes of the cross. The bearings are fixed in the forks with circlips.
Currently (since 1988) cardan shafts are completed with hinges of increased durability. They are equipped with spiders with large diameter spikes, stamped needle bearing housings, radial-face seals without a metal cage and forks of increased thickness. Modern and previously produced crosses are interchangeable, but install «new» crosses in forks «old» cardan shafts is not recommended, as this reduces the overall rigidity of the hinges.
The technology for replacing only the hinges that are currently installed is considered below.