Knowing your car well is a must for all drivers, and you don’t need to be an engineer to do that. Having even the basic knowledge of the different parts and mechanisms of your vehicle can help you look after it better, save a lot of maintenance costs, and allow you to enjoy safe driving.
This blog post is going to be all about axles. In case you don’t know what are axles on a car, read this guide thoroughly. It will explain everything you need to know about axles, from where to find them to different types to when they require repairing.
What Are Axles on A Car?
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Axles are an essential component of all motorized vehicles. An axel consists of a rod or a shaft and connects two wheels. It helps support the weight of the vehicle and transfers the engine power and torque from the transmission to the wheels. Without axles, your wheels wouldn’t be able to turn.
Different Types Of Axles
There are 3 standard types of axles.
#1. Rear Axle
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As the name suggests, this axle is located at the back of the car and is used to connect the rear wheels. The rear wheels are also sometimes called the driving wheels because they receive the most power from the engine.
The rear axle is divided into two parts called half shafts. The differential connects these halves. The rear axles tend to be live. That is, they rotate with the vehicle’s wheels.
There are 3 types of rear axles:
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Semi-Floating Axle
Semi-floating axles are typically used for large vehicles like SUVs and mid-sized trucks. It has two bearings designed to support both casing and axle shaft. Semi-floating axles are larger than other options because they need to produce more torque.
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Full-Floating Axle
Full-floating axles are designed to float in place and maintain their position. They provide a tremendous amount of torque to the front wheels, making them better suited for heavy-duty vehicles like carrier trucks.
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Three-Quarter Floating Axle
Three-quarter floating axles have a complicated design, but they’re more reliable than semi-floating axles. They help align the wheel and offset driving thrusts.
#2. Front Axle
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Front axles are built for shock absorbance as they’re located in the front. They make first contact with uneven surfaces on the road and thus need to be extra sturdy. The front axle also facilitates steering. They can be either live or dead but are usually dead because they have the extra job of absorbing shock.
A front axle includes 4 parts — the beam, the swivel pin, the track rod, and the stub axle. These parts assist in the turning of wheels in tandem with turns performed on the steering wheel.
#3. Stub Axle
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The stub axle is attached to the vehicle’s front wheels and is responsible for absorbing shock from impacts to the wheels or uneven driving surfaces.
Factors That Decide the Type of Axle in A Car
Several factors go into deciding the type of axle a car needs. As mentioned earlier, not all cars are built the same. Different cars will have different technical requirements concerning fitting and the torque needed to generate enough force.
Some cars come with pre-built axles of standard formats. Replacing them is easier. Other vehicles may have custom axles to meet the car’s specifications. To replace those, you will need to contact the manufacturer.
How To Know When Your Axle Needs to Be Repaired
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Your axle is one of the most crucial components of your car. If they sustain damage or malfunction, it could result in a serious accident. Here are some signs that indicate your axle may be damaged and in need of repairing.
#1. Bad Vibrations
Bad vibrations usually begin after the car’s axle is impacted by an obstruction on the street like a rock or a pothole. The vibrations may be accompanied by some rumbling sounds and strange tire wobbling. Even if the vibrations go away on their own, it would be best to have the axles checked.
#2. Loud Sounds
If you hear any loud clicking or clunking sounds every time you try to raise the acceleration, it may be a sign that the transmission is unable to transfer power adequately due to a slack in the axle joints.
#3. Grease Leakage
Axle joints are sealed with a rubber cover called an axle boot or a CV boot. Damage to the axle can cause grease to leak underneath the vehicle or inside the tire edge. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the axle is damaged but low grease can cause problems in the future so you should visit a professional promptly.
#4. Slow Pickup
Is the vehicle going nowhere even though it started fine and has a normal engine sound? If your vehicle doesn’t move no matter how much you press the pedal, it may be a sign of a broken axle at the universal joint.
How Many Axles Does a Car Have?
The number of axles a car has depends on the make and type of vehicle. Most cars have two axles, one in the front and one in the back. However, larger cars may have more axles if they have more wheels or if they’re built for rough terrains.
Axle Issues You Must Consider
Here are some issues you must keep in mind when choosing the right axle ratio for your vehicle.
• You can check the fuel economy data on the vehicle’s window sticker for the standard axle ratio.
• It’s impossible to compare optional axle ratios from different automakers to find the optimal axle ratio because they’re designed to fit custom tire sizes and system gear.
• Lower axle ratios are sometimes referred to as short gears, and they provide better gas mileage.
• Higher axle ratios are sometimes referred to as high gears, and they’re better for hauling goods.
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