Automobile Front & Rear Axles Shaft

 Front & Rear Axles Shaft

An Automobile axles shaft is a solid or tubular steel shaft that support the weight of the vehicle and transmitted torque from the differential to the drive wheel to the wheel that turns to move the vehicle. In Automobile typically, front and rear axles are used in the vehicle whether it is a light motor duty or heavy-duty vehicle. It all depends on the drivetrain of the vehicle which drives on Front-wheel drive or Rear wheel drive vehicle. 

There are two types of axles shaft (i) Dead axle (ii) Live axle.

Dead Axle 

A dead axle is a solid axle mounted to the suspension spring with a spindle at each upon which the wheel turn. This axle does not rotate, only the wheel on the axle rotate. The axle that is used in the bullock cart is a dead axle. I-Section axle beam is the dead axle, used front axle in trucks and buses.

 Live Axle 

In the live axle, the axle is on which turn within a tubular housing, the axle itself rotate due to this, the wheel rotates. This type of axle is used in cars and other light motor duty vehicles.  The propeller shaft transmits the power from the gearbox to the differential. This differential rotates the rear axles. This axle commonly used rear live axles. some vehicles used Elliot axle, this axle has a T-shaped knuckle on both its ends

Differences between Dead and Live axles :

The dead axle only supports the wheels but doesn't transmit power. In addition to supporting the weight of the vehicle, while a live axle apart from supporting the wheel also transmit torque to the rear wheel. 

Front Axle 

The front axle is fitted with wheels at both ends of the front wheels. Apart from the weight of the vehicle is transmitted to the wheels through the live axles in the Front-wheel drive vehicle and Four-wheel drive vehicle.

Especially Indian car maker in hatchback sedan sub-compacts SUVs cars has Constant- Velocity (CV) joints two axles shafts most commonly used on front both sides live axles fitted of front axles usually, this type of axle is called a driving shaft or drive shaft.   

Typically, the heavy-duty vehicle I- Section beam with Elliot axle has T-shaped (stub axle ) on both its ends. This type of dead axle beam is used in front of the trucks and buses. It has more reliable as compared to another front axle. 

It is simple in construction and easily repairs at less cost.

It required less care and maintenance because it's strong enough.

The function of the front axle :

The front axle -

• Bear the front weight of the vehicle.

• Turn the front wheel easily.

• Provides cushioning effect through a suspension spring. 

• It carries hubs and wheels.

Rear Axle

When we talk about rear axles both dead and live axles are used. Rear-wheel drive vehicles like Multi Utility vehicles (MUV), Sport Utility vehicles (SUV) Cars, trucks and buses. Those vehicles are live rear axles used, there are two shaft rear live axles, the purpose of each of these live axles is to rotate the two rear wheels. Rear axles carry the weight of the vehicle and power transmitted the engine to the rear wheels.

In light-duty vehicles, most hatchback and sedan cars have the solid tubular dead type rear axle used. This rear axle does rotate only rear wheels rotate. It carries a rear wheel assembly and brake mechanism and also takes the load and weight of the cars. 

 The function of Rear Axle: 

• It transmits drive and driving torque at a right angle to the propeller shaft.

• It increases the driving torque.

• It differentiates the speed of both sides wheels at turning. 

• It carries the load and weight of the vehicle and supports the wheel and brake mechanism.