TM 5-3805-290-23-1
THEORY OF OPERATION - CONTINUED
0003 00
AXLE
0003 00
1.
Front and rear axle groups incorporate pinion and bevel gear set, differential, final drives, and disc brakes. While front
and rear axle housings are slightly different, internal components and operation are identical.
2.
Power from transmission output shaft is transferred to front and rear axle groups by drive shafts. Power enters axles
through bevel pinion. Bevel pinion turns bevel gear which is fastened to differential case.
3.
Power is transferred through differential by pinions and side gears to final drives. Main components of final drives are
carrier, planetary gears, ring gear, and sun gear. Each final drive has same components. Final drives cause last speed
reduction and last torque increase in drive train.
4.
Sun gear is splined into differential side gear. Ring gear is pressed into axle housing. Three planetary gears are mounted
in carrier. Carrier has internal splines which fit into axle shaft splines.
5.
As sun gear is driven by differential, planetary gears are forced to revolve around inside of ring gear. Movement of plan-
etary gears around ring gear causes carrier and axle shaft to rotate. This transfers power to rim and to tire which bolts to
flange on axle shaft.
6.
Axles contain service brakes. Brake disc is splined to sun gear shaft, which rotates at speed of sun gear. When brakes are
applied, cavity behind brake piston is pressurized and brake piston clamps brake disc between piston and brake reaction
plate.
