This is an incorrect statement. The front differential does in fact move up and down as road conditions dictate and as this occurs the distance between the transfer case (which is bolted to a cross member) and the front differential also changes. That is the purpose of the spline and the front drive shaft is definitely splined and expands and collapses as required which allows this movement of the front differential.

 

I think you will find on the '97, the front diff is bolted to the front cross member, so the front diff does not move up and down. The front wheels move up and down and the front axle shafts provide the flex and variable length.


The front driveshaft has a spline (under the rubber boot) which allows for a slight change in driveshaft length as it needs to be compressed slightly at the spline to allow the u-joint to be pulled of the pinion nut when extracted from the vehicle.

 

Thanks Jim, yeah I wasn't thinking about that. I guess I was thinking about the rear diff instead of the Front. Thanks for clearing that up for all.

 

Technically yes it is splined, but not like the rear shaft is. The front shaft has 2 halves where one slides inside the other. This is where the expand/collapse comes from. This is unlike the rear shaft which is splined on one end that slips into the t-case or tranny.

 

Yeah thanks Alloro. I was incorrect on my post. I had a brain dump I guess. Guess I should have thought about it a little longer. LOL.