How to Buy Drive Axles
A drive axle in an automobile transfers the engine power from the transmission to the vehicle’s wheels. When a drive axle fails completely, it can leave you deadlocked in the streets. Knowing about the problems and symptoms of drive axles can be helpful if you run into any issues or find any indications of failure. In addition, learning about their function and various configurations can help you in buying a replacement drive axle. BuyAutoParts.com stocks high-quality front axles, rear axles and drive axle kits. Our auto professionals have composed this buyer's guide to provide a clear understanding of drive axles and to aid you in making a convenient and seamless purchase for drive axles at BuyAutoParts.com.
Function of a Drive Axle
An axle that is driven by the engine is called a drive axle. Front-wheel drive vehicles have the front axles powered by the engine, whereas rear-wheel drive automobiles have the rear axles driven by the engine. In all-wheel drive cars, both the front and rear axles receive power, transferring them to all the four wheels. Though a drive axle may seem to be a simple solid structure, it is actually split and is connected to the differential through Universal joints (U-joints). The split structure helps the drive axle in delivering different amounts of power to the right and left wheels as they do not necessarily turn at the same speed all the time. In response to the movement of the steering wheels, the drive axles efficiently pass the power from the engine to the wheels.
The drive axle, depending on its functionality, is known either as a live or dead axle. A live axle transfers the power from the engine to the wheels whereas a dead axle is a free-rotating axle that simply allows the wheels to spin smoothly. In most of the front-wheel drive cars, the rear axle is of the dead axle type. Some modern front-wheel drive cars use a transaxle, a combination of the transmission and drive axles. | ||||||||||||||||
Kinds of Drive Axles There are two kinds of drive axles: semi-floating and full-floating, out of which semi-floating axles are predominantly found in vehicles. Semi-Floating Axles: Semi-floating axles carry the weight of the vehicle on the axle shaft itself in addition to transferring the torque from the engine to the wheels. These axles have the wheel flange in their end which connects to the wheel studs. Full-Floating Axles: Full-floating axles transfer the engine torque to the wheels while the weight of the automobile is borne by the axle housing which is attached to the hub by a spindle. These axles are found mostly in heavy-duty automobiles. | ||||||||||||||||
CV Axles Automobiles that employ independent suspensions include CV (Constant Velocity) axles. These axles let the left and right wheels rotate independently of one another. While normal drive axles are rigid and do not allow for a free movement of the shaft, the CV axle assembly allows the axles to move and deliver power to the wheels at a constant velocity. This makes the CV axle mechanism provide an enhanced steering and handling experience. The CV axles have Constant Velocity (CV) joints at their ends. These axles are commonly employed in front-wheel drive automobiles. To know more about CV axles, refer to How Does a CV Axle Works | ||||||||||||||||
Problems with Drive Axles It is usual for auto parts to wear out over time. However, there are some reasons behind each part's failure. The common reasons for failure of a drive axle are as follows:
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Symptoms of a Faulty Drive Axle
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Why is a part's OEM number important? A vehicle manufacturer tags a specific number, called the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) number, to each of their products. Oftentimes, OEM parts are manufactured by the automaker themselves or other manufacturers trusted by the automaker. The OEM number can help you find the right replacement for your vehicle. At BuyAutoParts.com, you can locate parts of your choice by entering your car's year, make and model. Your part's OEM number can also be used to find the appropriate fit for your vehicle. The OEM number can be found in your part itself; otherwise, you can call your dealership to get your OEM number. While contacting your dealership, please have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) with you so that they can fetch you the right OEM number. | ||||||||||||||||
Drive Axle Kits BuyAutoParts.com supplies drive axle kits that include a pair of Drive Axles/CV Axle Assemblies. Our drive axles will restore your vehicle to its top form. Buying a drive axle kit here will get you a large discount. | ||||||||||||||||
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