An air venting system for a constant velocity joint (20) having an inner race (24), an outer race (22), a cage (26), a plurality of torque transferring elements (28), a drive sleeve, a drive nut and a boot assembly. The outer race has a wall portion (90) having a vent hole (88, 242) with a first and a second axially extending channel (224, 264). A radially extending wall integrally connects the second axially extending channel to the first axially extending channel. A valve (256) having a stopper portion (264), a disk portion (258) and a breather portion (260) is at least partially located within the vent hole. The breather portion (260) further includes an axially extending ring (292) that terminates in a radially extending wall. At least a portion (300) of an edge portion of the radially extending wall of the breather portion of the valve is in direct contact with at least a portion (250) of an outer surface of the wall portion of the outer race.

A driveshaft includes a shaft defining a passageway and a constant velocity joint defining an interior and having a cover defining a hole. A grommet is disposed in the hole and defines a fluid passage into the interior. The CV joint is coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is disposed against the grommet with the passageway and the fluid passage in fluid communication to vent air from the interior into the passageway.

A vented gaiter (6) for mounting to a shaft (4) comprises: a rim (34) defining an opening (33) for receiving the shaft (4); and a separate venting element (40). The venting element (40) is disposed within said opening (33). The shaft (4) is received in the opening (33), and the rim (34) is mounted to the shaft by means of a circular clamp (22). The venting element (40) is thus retained in place between the shaft (4) and the rim (34) and allows any air accumulated inside a CV joint enclosure (28) formed by the gaiter (6) when the gaiter (6) is mounted to the shaft (4) to vent axially according to a direction substantially parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis. The venting element (40) comprises a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane (41).

In at least one implementation, a joint for coupling two shafts in a vehicle driveline includes a joint part having a bore defining part of a fluid chamber, a boot member coupled to the joint part and defining at least part of the fluid chamber and having a valve portion that has an open state and a closed state, and an insert. The insert may be received adjacent to the boot member and defines at least part of a vent path that communicates the fluid chamber with the valve portion. When the valve portion is in the closed state venting from the vent chamber is inhibited or prevented and when the valve portion is in the open state the vent chamber is communicated with a venting space.

A constant-velocity joint includes an outer race, inner race, end cap, and seal. The outer race defines a cavity, an opening to the cavity, and a through hole configured to receive a fastener. The inner race is disposed within the cavity and is rotatably connected to the outer race via a plurality of ball bearings. The end cap is secured to the outer race and covers the opening. The seal is disposed between the outer race and the end cap. The seal defines a channel that is in fluid communication with the cavity and the through hole. The channel is configured to vent air between the cavity and through hole.

A driveshaft includes a shaft defining a passageway and a constant velocity joint defining an interior and having a cover defining a hole. A grommet is disposed in the hole and defines a fluid passage into the interior. The CV joint is coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is disposed against the grommet with the passageway and the fluid passage in fluid communication to vent air from the interior into the passageway.

A grease-retention assembly for a drive shaft assembly with a tubular shaft connected to a joint includes an outer race and a cap for grease retention and venting arranged in an inside diameter section of the outer race. The cap includes an outer annular rim with an annular indentation. The outer race includes a radial abutment shoulder extending radially inward and defining an axial end position of the rim of the cap, and a radial annular rib extending from the inside diameter section. The rib partially fills the annular indentation of the rim when the cap is in the axial end position. The cap further includes a central portion with a hollow air cavity extending across the cap between two radially extending walls, an axial hole through one of the two radially extending walls, and a radial annular groove communicating with the air cavity.