What is the anatomy of a Constant Velocity Shaft and Axle?

[PieEyedPiper]

Everyone tosses these terms around, like "half-shaft, cv joint, cv axle, and axle around like they alreay know what they mean.

Heh, unfortunately I do not.
Could someone kindly explain to me what parts are what, what their function is and how they all fit together?

I need to replace my front right something (click sound when I engage the clutch, but not when turning - unless engaging the clutch while turning).

So I'd like to be a fully educated as possible.
Thank you.

 

[alex]

Take apart your engine and you'll fully undersatnd what each device does. Either that or just keep your DSM for a couple more weeks and you'll eventually have to do it anyhow...

Here is a diagram to help you fully understand how the drivetrain in vechiles work.

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[GVR4592]

When in doubt, VFAQ and google will answer any of your questions

http://vfaq.com/mods/CVboots.html

http://www.aa1car.com/library/cvjoint1.htm

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Great info.
Thanks guys.

Looks like my inner joint is messed. ( noise on accel/decel/clutch engagment, but nothing on turning)

So if I order a new "axle" I will get everything I need, including the seals right?
From my understanding, I'll:
-jack it up
-take off the wheel
-somehow get the hub off/other suspension components that are in the way (shocks)
-suspend the shaft with a wire
- pull the shaft out from the "transaxle" (which I'm not sure the antomy of yet, see below)


and then what am I left with?
a gaping hole in the tranny? most likely bleeding fluid like crazy (unless of course I drained it prior to my experiment)
or is there some kind of recepticle for the shaft with a seal around it that remains stationary throughout the procedure, which would also hold in the tranny fluid?

Just a little more clarification and I think I can handle this.

Edit: I also am curious of the liklihood of slack in my differential gears creating this noise, in the second link posted by GVR4592, it states that this condition could easily be mis-diagnosed as a bad inner cv joint.

 

[GVR4592]

Your removal procedure is pretty accurate(refer to the vfaq), the axle will most likely not come right out. There is a circlip holding it in, it takes some pressure from a small pry bar or large flat head screwdriver to remove it. The axle will usually not come with seals. Definitely drain the fluid prior to removal, it's a good idea to change it if you haven't done so in a while. Make sure you use GL-4 fluid only. No GL-4-GL-5 compatible fluids work, it as to be straight GL-4.