Drive axles: device (VW Golf 2)

The drive from the main gear is transferred to the wheels by means of two drive axles. A hinge is fixed at each end of the axle. The inner hinge is bolted to the drive flange. The outer hinge (at the wheel) and the inner one are connected to the drive axle shaft by means of a spline. The outer joint 15 ends with a short axle shaft 16 with a spline that enters the wheel hub.

Left axle shaft (from the left wheel side) is made of a solid shaft, and the right one is made of a pipe. The left drive axle shaft is shorter than the right one.

The half-axle joints with the joints are sealed and do not require maintenance, except for checking the rubber casings during periodic inspection. If grease leaks or casing cracks are detected, the casings must be replaced immediately with new ones. Contaminants that get into the joint cause its rapid wear. If there is a suspicion of severe wear of the joints, noticeable as knocking, especially during the transition from acceleration to rolling (or running the car with the gear disengaged), and vice versa, the axle shafts must be removed and the joints disassembled to determine the degree of their wear, and also to repair or replace them with new ones.