Drive Shafts

So that you do not notice any effect of changes in driving conditions on steering while driving and operating the vehicle, the drive shaft joints must transmit torque evenly in all positions of the suspension struts and steering column.

This is the task of the joints located at the ends of the drive shafts. The Audi 80 series uses two different types of joints:

On the wheel and transmission sides, constant velocity joints (CV joints) are used. They operate on six balls that move in precisely ground raceways when the joint flexes. This ensures completely even torque transmission at any permissible drive shaft angle in the vehicle. Constant velocity joints are fitted to all vehicles with manual transmission and 4- and 5-cylinder engines, as well as to all all-wheel drive models (front and rear). On automatic transmission models and models with 6-cylinder engines, they are used as outer joints.

On the transmission side, meaning as inner joints, vehicles with automatic transmission and vehicles with 6-cylinder engines (front-wheel drive) use so-called "Tripod" constant velocity joints. Instead of six balls, this joint has three rollers on needle bearings. The advantage of this design is minimal transmission of vibrations from the drivetrain to the body.