What attaches the wheel to the axle?
The CV joint is what connects the axle and wheel together. And it is the CV joint that must be maintained in order for the axles to do their job properly. The CV joint is covered by a boot, a protecting flexible cover.
Can an axle be loose?
Loose axle nuts can become a serious problem. When the axle nut is loose it allows the wheel bearing to shift back and forth which can cause damage and cause the wheel bearing to fail. When the axle nut is installed properly it is staked so it cannot come back off, though it could still become loose.
Should a wheel hub wiggle?
When the vehicle is on a hydraulic lift or on jack stands, and the tire / wheel combo is tightly attached to the wheel hub assembly, but wiggles from left to right or up and down when pulled, this is an indication of a broken wheel hub assembly and should be replaced immediately.
Can a loose U-bolt cause rear axle to shift?
When the rubber pads deteriorate, or just squash and settle a little thinner with time, the U-bolts can become a little loose. This allows the rear axle to shift fore or aft a little on the leaf spring with acceleration and deceleration.
What do you need to know about thru axles?
Thru axles are a wheel attachment system. They secure the hubs between the dropouts in the frame and fork. Thru axle dropouts have holes, rather than slots. The thru axle itself is a thick, solid pin that is threaded on one end.
What causes rear axle to shift off line?
When one end of the rear axle moves more than the other end it changes angle a little, effectively steering the rear end of the car off line. The cure for this is often as easy as simply tightening the U-bolts.
What’s the difference between quick release axle and thru axle?
A cam mechanism tensions the axle and holds the wheel in place with friction. The quick release axle stays in the hub when you remove the wheel. Most quick release axes measure 5 mm or 9 mm in diameter. Various lengths are available to fit different hub spacing.