Are drive shafts and drive axles the same thing?
Drive axle refers to the axle/drive shafts of the driving wheels (the front drive shafts in a FWD, the rear axle in a RWD). Half shafts are a kind of loose term sometimes used to refer to the drive shafts (or axles if you want to call them that) of a FWD.
Is it possible for a drive axle to go bad?
share this article: A drive axle can go bad, but the difficulty with repairs can be in first discovering the problem. You need to be aware of any signs and symptoms that can indicate a damaged or faulty drive axle so that repairs or replacements can be made as early as possible.
How are the drive axles on a truck connected?
A drive axle on a truck is one that provides motive power – it is one that is connected to the engine via the differential, driveshaft and gearbox and propels the truck forwards or backwards. A truck can have more than one drive axle, but it’s not always possible to tell how many drive axles a truck has, or which ones they are.
How many drive axles does a rigid truck have?
A rigid truck most commonly has one or two steering axles at the front and one or two drive axles at the rear. It might also have a tag or lift axle which isn’t a drive axle. A combination truck is a prime mover or rigid truck that is pulling a trailer (either a semitrailer or dog trailer).
How can you tell if your car has an axle problem?
If your vehicle is making odd noise near the wheel as you drive or suddenly refuses to move forward be sure to look for these signs that you need axle repair and then make an appointment with your local auto mechanic to have the problem resolved.
Can a rear wheel drive vehicle have a drive axle?
They can be found on both front or rear wheel drive vehicles and are necessary to operate both the front axle and the rear axle. It’s likely that you already know about the drive axle without even realizing it as the CV axle, or Constant Velocity axle, can technically be considered a drive axle.
Where are the dead axles on a six wheel drive truck?
Six-wheel drive vehicles contain three axles which are all live axles. Dead Axles are used solely as a support for part of the vehicle while providing a mounting for the vehicle’s wheel assembly. Typically, dead axles are found in the front area of commercial trucks and truck-tractors.
What kind of axle housing does a truck use?
Heavy-duty trucks and truck-trailers possess axle housing that is heavier than the housing found in common commercial vehicles, as they are designed to transport heavy weight. The axle housing in light-duty trucks may be a combination of cast iron and cast steel tube.
What are the components of a drive axle?
Before one can learn more about drive axles and how they work, it is important to understand the several components that make up the entire drive axle itself such as: 1 Axle 2 Shaft (Drive Shaft) 3 Differential
How do I know if my axle shaft is bad?
4 Signs of a Bad CV Axle/Half Shaft
- “Clicking” Noises When Turning.
- A Knocking Sound.
- Grease on the Inside or Edge of the Tires.
- Vibration While Driving. This is a tricky one, since there are many things that could cause vibration when you drive.
Do you need to replace axles in pairs?
There is no need to replace CV axles in pairs as long as the other axles are in good condition. There are many aftermarket CV axles on the market, but it’s much smarter and safer to use either the factory part from the manufacturer or a replacement of equal quality.
How long should a drive shaft last?
While there is no set lifespan of a driveshaft, it typically can last about 75,000 miles. Keep in mind depending on the vehicle, and wear and tear you may get much less or much more.
How much does it cost to fix an axle on a car?
The cost to repair an axle runs between about $500 and $600 dollars before taxes and fees. Costs vary depending the type of vehicle, brand, make, and model. Labor costs vary from between about $50 dollars and $140 depending on how long the job takes for a model of vehicle.