Axle Shafts And Their Common Types
The axles of automobiles are paramount to their standard operations, serving as the shafts that the rotating wheels attach to. While one end of an axle shaft is connected to the vehicle’s differential through a sun gear, the other is attached to the wheel itself. In most instances, the axles are affixed to the wheels and rotate around them, though some assemblies will have the wheels rotate on the axles through the use of bearings. In this blog, we will discuss the most common types of axle shafts found on automobiles, allowing you to understand their design and functionality.
Generally, the three types of axles that are used for automobile applications include the front, rear, and stub axle. The front axle is true to its name as it is placed near the front of the automobile to support the mounting of the front wheels. Front axle shafts have important roles beyond the mounting of the wheels, acting as a support for the front section of the automobile, absorbing shock forces that source from uneven road surfaces, facilitating the steering mechanism of automobile, and more. There are two subtypes of front axles, those of which are the dead and live front axle.
Dead front axle shafts do not rotate, though they are able to handle the weight of the vehicle with their high strength and rigidity. As front axles are typically paired alongside stub axles, they are specifically designed to accommodate them. On the other hand, live front axle shafts are implemented in assemblies for the means of transmitting power between the gearbox and front wheels.
Rear axle shafts are similar to front axles, though they support the rear wheels. As cars will use the back wheels for driving the assembly forward regardless of whether the automobile is an AWD or RWD, the rear axles typically transmit power from the differential to the wheels. Additionally, rear axle shafts are almost always the drive shafts. To amply protect the rear axles, they are typically placed in a housing that protects them from dust, rain, etc.
Rear axles can be classified based on their casing and method of support. For casings, the most common options are the split type, banjo type, and integral carrier type. As each type presents its own advantages and disadvantages, it can be important to take the time to explore each option before making a purchasing decision. The same can be said for the methods of supporting the axle, as options include the semi-floating, full-floating, and three-quarter floating axle, each of which differs from one another in various ways.
The final axle type is the stub axle, that of which is used to support one wheel of a pair. There are four types of stub axle shafts, those of which include the Lamoine, reverse Lamoine, Elliot, and reverse Elliot types. While many axles have a yoke-type hinge, the Lamoine stub axle features an L-shaped spindle. The reverse Lamoine axle is very similar, albeit being of the opposite layout. The Elliot stub axle utilizes a kingpin, cotter, and yoke to attach to the front axle, and the reverse Elliot axle is the opposite layout of the standard design.
Whether you require axle shafts, roller bearings, universal joints, or other hardware components for your automobiles, there is no better alternative to Internet of NSN. As a premier purchasing platform and leading supplier of axle shaft components, we can fulfill all your operational needs while saving you time and money on your orders. As you explore our website, Take advantage of our RFQ service to rapidly request quotes for your comparisons. At Internet of NSN, we are more than just a dependable distributor; we are your strategic sourcing partner for all your operational needs.
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