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Buyer’s Guide: How to Buy Drive Axles

How to Buy Drive Axles



How to Buy a Radiator

 

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.

Radiator

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:

  • Over time, a drive axle may bend, break or develop cracks as it is exposed to continuous stress.
  • A severe bump on the road can also bend or break the drive axle.
  • In CV axles, the CV joints are protected by rubber boots. The rubber may deteriorate over time, allowing the grease to flow out of the joints. This results in improper lubrication of the axle joints, eventually damaging the CV axles.
  • Damaged CV joints also allow debris to enter the axle housing, resulting in corrosion.

Symptoms of a Faulty Drive Axle

  • A damaged drive axle can cause the vehicle to experience an excessive vibration/shaking.
  • A faulty drive axle can also result in changes in the angles and alignment of the vehicle's tires.
  • A humming, growling or clicking noise while cornering is another common symptom of a bad CV axle.

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.

Part Numbers on Drive Axle

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.

Drive Axle Kit

Be it cars, trucks or off-road automobiles, we have got parts for them in stock. Shop for your choice of auto parts at BuyAutoParts.com at reasonable prices. We will be happy to assist you through your purchase. Please take a look at our shipping and warranty options for more information. We have a talented customer service team; you can reach them on our toll-free number 1-888-907-7225 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Is self-installation feasible with drive axles?

If you are familiar with the ins and outs of your car, you can replace the drive axles on your own. Please be aware that it is a time-consuming process and requires accessing/removing some parts of the steering and suspension mechanism.

Note: Please refer to your owner's manual for any information as the drive axle designs vary according to a vehicle's make and model.

How can I replace my drive axles?

Before deciding to replace drive axles, look for defects in other associated components. If the related components show any signs of wear, it is better to replace the entire axle assembly. Here are the steps to install drive axles:

1) Raise the end of the car with jack stands; front end for front axle and rear end for rear axle.

2) Remove the axle nut in the wheel.

3) Uninstall the suspension and steering components.

4) Remove the shaft.

5) Install the axle.

6) Install the shaft, the suspension and steering components, and the axle nut back in their respective places.

How do I inspect the axle?

One easy method is to raise the vehicle and inspect the axle by moving it up and down. Typically, the axle should not show any excessive movement (½ inch or more than that).

I suspect the problem is with my car's U-joint rather than the axle itself.

If you inspect your axle (as mentioned above) and find that it is working well, you can look for grease spread in the axle. This is one of the obvious symptoms of a damaged U-joint.

 

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