Everything About Your Car's Axle Shaft & Parts

The axle shaft on a vehicle is a rod that rotates the wheels and supports the weight of the car. Axles conduct the power from the transmission to the wheels and are of three types. The front axle facilitates steering, carries the weight of the engine and assists the suspensions in absorbing the shocks while driving on an uneven road. A rear axle is located between the differential and the driving wheels and is used to transmit the power between the two. The rear axle is divided into two halves, left and right, with each part known as the half shaft. Another type of axle is known as the stub axle which carries the front wheels of the car.  

The type of axle shaft depends on the vehicle's requirements, and each axle shaft is designed to manage different levels of stress. This element is determined by the axle shaft's length concerning the hubs and bearings of the vehicle, as well as how the vehicles are manufactured. The three most common axle shaft types are as follows:

1. Semi-Floating Axle Shafts

The axle shaft features flange faces on both ends in this configuration. The accompanying wheels are directly attached to these faces. A semi-floating axle is very commonly used on 4WD vehicles and consists of an axle shaft on each side with splines on the inner end where it mates with the differential. 

2. Fully Floating Axle Shafts

This type of axle shaft has hubs between the two components instead of flange faces that directly link the axle shaft to the wheels. Each wheel is connected to a hub, which revolves on roller bearings attached to a spindle at the axle shaft's two ends. The axle bearing is relieved of stress by the tapered roller bearings that face opposite directions. The hubs and bearings also carry the vehicle weight. The axle bearing "floats" instead of supporting the weight of the vehicle and its cargo, just having to withstand the torque of the transmission system.

3. Three-Quarter Floating Axle Shafts

The semi-floating and completely floating axle shaft concepts are combined in this type of axle shaft. Bearings are positioned between the axle casing and the hub axle shaft in three-quarter floating axle shafts. The bearings, on the other hand, are shielded from shearing and bending stresses.

The real equipment axle shafts are made up of top-notch steel, generally SAE 1039, 1055, 1050, or 1541. They are built and then heat-treated with induction coils. The process of induction heat-treating draws the shaft through an electromagnetic coil very quickly. Now, as a result, it is heated and then quenched in such a way that the surface of the shaft can be hardened while at the same time the center of the core remains comparatively soft. The hardness depth of the original equipment axle shaft is generally between 0.100 and 0.180 inches.

Have a look at the working of the Car Axle Shaft: 

The location of the drive axle depends on whether the car is in front or rear-wheel drive. A drive axle can be classified as a live axle or a dead axle. A live axle receives the power from the transmission whereas the dead axle receives no power. The reason behind this is that axle shafts come in two halves with a multi-ended joint connecting the two. This joint is generally known as constant velocity or CV joint. It is connected to the driveshaft, a rod that extends from the car’s transmission and is connected to the engine of the car. Now as the driveshaft turns, then the motion is transferred to the drive axles via the CV joint. This results in the turning of the axle wheels. There are two drive axles in 4-wheel drive vehicles and all the cars should have at least one drive axle to operate properly.

Have a look at some signs and symptoms of a bad axle shaft:

1. Oil Stains On Your Driveway - One of the most common signs of leakage in the axle seal is the puddles of oil on your driveway. When the seal tears and cracks, the oil tends to seep through and leak out, pooling underneath your car. It can also leave a reddish-brown fluid behind the left front wheel, where the driveshaft connects to the transmission. 

2.  Dampness around the Seal - Leakage in the axle seal would initially appear as a damp area around the seal. If the leakage gets more severe, then it is more likely to cause leakage of the fluid on the ground. The fluid which is leaking can search its way onto the auto exhaust system parts, which would result in the burning smell when the exhaust warms up.

3. Clicking or Knocking Sound - In some cases, you may notice rhythmic knocking or clicking sound which get more pronounced as the vehicle speeds up. It can also occur while turning the vehicle.

To change the Axle Shaft you may need the following tools:

• Tie-Rod End Pullers

• Ball Joint Removers

• Vehicle-Specific Sockets

Some leading car parts brands are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related to quality. So have a look at some top brands for Axle Shaft.

• World Parts CV Axles Axle Shaft & Parts
• Mevotech Axle Shaft & Parts
• Dorman/Autograde Axle Shaft & Parts
• Cardone Industries Axle Shaft & Parts
• Beck/Arnley Axle Shaft & Parts
• Dorman (Oe Solutions) Axle Shaft & Parts

Are you familiar with basic car Axle Shaft related parts? If not, then what are you waiting for? Have a look at some important components of the car Axle Shaft.

• Axle Actuator

• Axle Tube Seal

• Axle Vent or Tube

• Axle Shift Control Switch

• Axle Hub

• Axle Flange Gasket

• Axle Shaft Lock Clip

• Axle Shaft Seal Retainer

• Axle Housing

• Axle Shaft Bearing Retainer

• Axle Shaft Damper

• Axle Shaft Flange Gasket

• Axle Shaft Retainer

• AxleYoke Conversion Kits

The first question which comes to the minds of most people when they see some faults in the Axle Shaft is how much would its replacement cost? The reality is that unless and until a professional mechanic takes a look at your car, it is going to be a difficult question to answer because the overall cost depends on a lot of factors. The first and foremost thing on which it depends is the size as well as the type of the Axle Shaft. The other factors like the replacement of the Axle Shaft going to be brand new, used, rebuilt, or remanufactured play a major role in deciding the total cost.

If you want to substitute your axle shaft, then it generally ranges between $1,196 to $1,519. Talking about the labor expenses, it usually ranges between $140 to $177, and the parts are valued somewhere between $1056 and $1342.

Do you want to change your axle shaft? Then don’t worry as we are here to help you out! Have a look below at the steps of changing an axle shaft:

Step 1

The first and foremost step is to loosen the nuts of the wheel lug. Then after that, the vehicle should be raised as well as secured and then the wheels should be removed.

Step 2

The next step is to remove the cotter pin. Then the spindle nut safety fastener should be unlocked as per the instructions of the repair manual. Then the nut should loosen up with the right socket and breaker bar. Another bar or large screwdriver wedged between the lug nuts can prove to help hold the wheel in place. The application of the brake would simplify the issue of the wheel turn. There are some automobiles where the brake caliper, as well as the rotor, should be removed first.

Step 3

There is another cotter pin located at the ball joint which holds the castle nut in place. Remove this cotter pin. The ball joint from the steering knuckle should be disconnected by using a removal tool. After that, the knuckle and hub should be swung outward to free the outboard axle assembly.

Step 4

Make sure to carefully wedge a pry bar or a large flat blade screwdriver in between the axle as well as car transmission. Then the axle assembly should be carefully pried away from the transmission. Just be careful to not damage any transmission seals.

Step 5

Then the drive axle assembly should slide right out. Carefully observe the location of the drive assembly and then it should be removed. The new one should go back similarly.

Step 6

The splines should be greased properly before you start inserting the gear grease. The replacement drive axle assembly should be inserted properly and then the disassembly process should be reversed. Then keep in mind to torque all the fasteners as per the specifications. It would be better to utilize new cotter pins.