Brian Onyango
Updated on March 28, 2024
There’s a lot of confusion floating around whenever a technical term is mentioned. The definition of an axle is very straightforward, and we’re here to explain it in a clear and precise manner.
The axle is the central shaft to which the wheels are attached on either side. The number of axles directly affects the number of wheels a vehicle can have: 2 axle vehicles have 3, 4, or 6 wheels, 3 axle vehicles have 6 to 10 wheels and 4 axle vehicles have 8 to 14 wheels.
Specific motorbikes can have three wheels on a total of two axles. For passenger vehicles, the rule is simple: two wheels per axle. The cargo vehicles can have 4 wheels per axle, as pairs of wheels can be stacked to increase the carry load.
What Is an Axle & What Does It Do?
A vehicle’s axle is defined as “a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear.” In other words, it is the main support beam that runs along the length of the vehicle and to which the wheels are attached. The number of axles on a vehicle corresponds to the number of wheels that a vehicle has.
A two-axle vehicle has three or four wheels. The most common type of two-axle vehicles are cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. A three-axle vehicle has six or more wheels.
The most common type of three-axle vehicles are tractor-trailers, also known as 18-wheelers or semi-trucks. Four-axle vehicles are not as common, but they do exist. The most common type of four-axle vehicle is a garbage truck
The axle’s main role is to support the weight of the vehicle and its cargo. The heavier the vehicle, the more axles it will have. This is why semi-trucks have so many axles; they need to be able to support a lot of weight.
Another role of the axle is to transfer the power from the engine to the wheels. The axle does this through a series of gears, which are located in the differential.
The differential is a gearbox that allows each wheel to rotate at a different speed. This is necessary because when a vehicle turns, the wheels on the outside of the turn have to travel a greater distance than the wheels on the inside of the turn.
The number of axles a vehicle has can also affect its maneuverability. The more axles a vehicle has, the harder it is to turn. This is why garbage trucks have four axles; they need to be able to make tight turns in order to get into small spaces.
Factors That Decide the Type of Axle on a Car
There are a few factors that decide the type of axle in a car. One is the number of wheels on the car. Two-wheel drive cars have two axles, one in the front and one in the back. Four-wheel drive cars have four axles, two in the front and two in the back.
The other factor is the car’s weight. Heavier cars need more axles to support their weight. Two-axle cars can support up to 26,000 pounds. Three-axle cars can support up to 36,000 pounds. And four-axle cars can support up to 46,000 pounds.
So, a two-axle car would be good for a light car with two wheels. A three-axle car would be good for a heavier car with four wheels. And, a four-axle car would be good for an even heavier car with four wheels.
What Are Different Types of Axles Used in Automobiles?
There are three standard types of axles used in automobiles. They are:
- Rear-axle: The power supply to the driving wheels is handled by this axle. It is divided into two halves, known as half-waves, which are joined by a differential. The rear axles are usually under tension, which means they revolve around the wheels of the vehicle.
- Front axle: This axle is at the front of the car and helps with steering and processing bumps on uneven roads. The beam, the swivel pin, the tie rod, and the stub axle are the four basic components. The front axles must be very durable. As a result, carbon steel or nickel steel are often used.
- Stub axle: Stub axles are affixed to the vehicle’s front wheels and are connected to the front axle by kingpins.
Types of Rear Axles
Not all rear axles are the same. In fact, there are four main types.
- Semi-floating axle: The semi-floating axle is the most common type of rear axle. One wheel is connected to each half-shaft. The shafts are then connected to the differential, which transmits power from the engine to the wheels.
- Full-floating axle: A full-floating axle has the same basic design as a semi-floating axle. However, the half-shafts are not connected to the differential. Instead, they are connected to bearings inside the axle housing.
- Three-quarter floating axle: A three-quarter floating axle is similar to a semi-floating axle. However, only one wheel is connected to each shaft. The other wheel is connected to the differential.
- One-half floating axle: A one-half floating axle is the least common type of rear axle. It has the same basic design as a three-quarter floating axle. However, both wheels are connected to the differential.
Types of Front Axles
There are two main types of front axles: live and dead.
- Live axle: A live axle is a type of front axle that transmits power from the engine to the wheels. The live axle is also responsible for steering the vehicle.
- Dead axle: A dead axle is a type of front axle that does not transmit power from the engine to the wheels. The dead axle is only responsible for supporting the weight of the vehicle.
How Many Types of Live Axles Are There?
There are two main types of live axles: independent and dependent. An independent live axle is a type of live axle that is not connected to the frame of the vehicle. Instead, it is connected to the wheels by suspension members.
While a dependent live axle is a type of live axle that is connected to the frame of the vehicle. The dependent live axle is also connected to the wheels by suspension members.
What Are the Different Types of Dead Axles?
Now that we already know the roles of dead axles let’s look at the different types that exist. There are two main types of dead axles: solid and trailing.
- Solid axle: A solid axle is a type of dead axle that is connected to the frame of the vehicle. The solid axle is also connected to the wheels by suspension members.
- Trailing axle: A trailing axle is a type of dead axle that is not connected to the frame of the vehicle. Instead, it is connected to the wheels by suspension members.
What Is a Four-Wheel Drive Axle?
A four-wheel drive axle is a type of axle that is used in vehicles with four-wheel drive. The four-wheel-drive axle is responsible for transmitting power from the engine to the wheels. The four-wheel-drive axle is also responsible for steering the vehicle.
What Causes an Axle to Break?
There are several reasons why an axle can break. One reason is because of the way the axle is designed. Another reason is because of the way the axle is made. The last reason is because of the way the axle is used.
How to Know If You Have a Bad Axle
There are several signs that you have a bad axle. One sign is if your vehicle starts to vibrate when you are driving. Another sign is if your vehicle starts to make noise when you are driving. The last sign is if your vehicle starts to pull to one side when you are driving.
Conclusion
There are many different types of axles. The difference between 2, 3, and 4 axle vehicles is the number of axles they have. Two axle vehicles have two axles, three-axle vehicles have three axles, and four-axle vehicles have four axles.
Each type of vehicle has different benefits and drawbacks. When choosing a vehicle, it is important to consider what type of terrain you will be driving on and how much weight you will be carrying.
For more information, check out these other articles:
How Many Axles Does A Car Have?
Can A Broken Axle Damage A Transmission?
How Much Should It Cost to Replace a CV Axle?
