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Everything About Drive Axle

The drive axles are housed in an axle housing, which protects the component and helps it to perform more efficiently. They are required to operate both the front and rear axles and can be found on both front and rear-wheel drive vehicles. Willing to know more about Drive Axle? If yes, then all you have to do is keep on reading further.

What Is A Car Drive Axle?

The drive axle is particularly an axle that is driven by the engine, and in the latest, front-wheel drive automobiles, the transmission and front axle are generally combined into a part which is known as a transaxle. There can be variations in the design for rear-wheel-drive cars, but the assembly would be the same.

What Are The Types Of Car Drive Axle?

There are mainly two types of Car Drive axles:

1. Live axis – It's a differential axle with a differential system that directs engine power to the front wheels.

2. Dead Axis – It is dead and will not carry the engine's power because it is disconnected from the engine.

3. According to the Loading arrangement

A.  Semi-floating axle hub.

B.  Three-quarter floating axle hub.

C.  Fully floating axle hub.

What Are The Important Features Of the Car Drive Axle?

Do you want to know the essential features of a car drive axle? You have arrived at the right place. Have a look below to know the important features of the drive axle:

  1. It should provide improved handling - The front steering should provide the freer movement with more axles so that it can give the driver better control.

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  1. It should provide more clearance - The independent front suspensions should provide excessive clearance over technical trails if they are combined with a 4-inch lift kit.

How Does My Car Drive Axle Work?

There are a lot of axles in a car, namely drive axles, constant-velocity (CV) axles and some multi-joint axles for custom applications. The main role of the drive axle is to transfer the power of the engine from the transmission to the wheels or hubs. The drive axle does not bend and it is designed for automobiles where the axle has a direct shot to the hub or transaxle. It is utilized generally in mid-engine or rear-wheel-drive cars. Constant-velocity joints allow a drive shaft to transmit power through a variable angle, at constant rotational speed, without an appreciable rise in friction. They are generally used in front-wheel drive as well as all-wheel drive cars. CV joints are used by the rear-wheel-drive cars with independent rear suspension at the end of the rear axle half-shafts. A rubber boot and a CV gaiter protect the constant-velocity joints.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bad Drive Axle?

Below are all the symptoms of Bad Drive Axle your car will show:

  1. Too Many Vibrations - There are a lot of cars that start vibrating based on the power of the engine, construction, and a lot more things. Whatever may be the cause, it is important to get your car inspected by a professional if it vibrates too much and becomes harder to control. 


  1. Difficulty to Steer - Now if there are great vibrations, then you won’t be able to steer properly.


  1. Grease on Tire or Under the Vehicle - The CV axle joint features grease-filled boots that keep the axle from leaking while it spins. If the boot develops a leak, the lack of lubrication could cause the CV joint to fail quickly. Bring your car in for service as soon as you discover oil on the edge of your tire or the inside of the wheel.


  1. Knocking & Clicking Noises - If the CV axle is defective or worn out, then it starts producing a lot of noises like thumping and clicking noises of the axle metal.


  1. Screeching Noises - There are a lot of times that the noises are not only loud knocking or crackling sounds, but are also recognizable noises coming from the car wheels.


  1. Bounciness & Lack of Control - If you are driving your car on a road that is entirely flat and still you feel the bounce from your car then it means that your CV axle has started to break.

Which Tools Do I Need To Repair My Car Drive Axle?

Do you want to repair your Drive Axle on your own? In that case, you should have the correct tools which are required for repairing your Drive Axle. Have a look at the most important tools which you might require repairing your Drive Axle:

  • A vehicle jacks

  • Jack stands

  • Needle nose pliers

  • Penetrating lubricant

  • Appropriately sized socket wrench set for lug nuts, axle nut, brake caliper mounts, etc.

  • Pry bar

  • Cotter pins

  • Brake cleaner

Which Top Brands Drive Axle Parts Should I Choose?

If customers trust a brand, then it would make them loyal, and if they are loyal, then they will surely buy more. We know well that customers want comfort, cheerfulness, and satisfaction in their lives and that’s the reason we offer top-quality auto parts brands to our customers. We provide a positive experience to our consumers from the brands which we are offering so that they can form an opinion that a particular auto parts brand is trustworthy and would give them peace of mind while they are purchasing it for their car. Here we have listed out some top brands for Drive Axle.


Which Parts Are Related To My Car Drive Axle?

There might be a big-picture overview of Drive Axle in your mind, and now it’s time to look at its related components.

  • Drive Axle Pinion Seal

  • Drive Axle Assembly

  • Drive Axle Connector

  • Drive Axle Pinion Bearing

  • Axle Tube Seal

  • Drive Axle Repair Sleeve

  • Drive Axle Pinion Race

What Is The Repairing Cost Of My Car Drive Axle?

If you are looking for “Drive Axle Replacement Cost”, “Drive Axle Replacement Labor Cost”, “Average Cost Of Drive Axle” or “How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Car Drive Axle” then keep on reading further! If you are seeing blown Drive Axle signs from your vehicle, then it means that a repair bill is coming. More than other failures in a car, there is nothing like a faulty Drive Axle. Now if your car Drive Axle goes bad, then it would cause a lot of issues in the functioning of your car. Keep in mind that the Drive Axle replacement cost depends upon the type of automobile, brand, as well as various other factors. If you want to substitute your drive axle, then it would generally range between $1,217 and $1,306. Talking about the labour expenses, they would range between $326 and $412 and the parts are valued somewhere in the range of $891 and $894.

What Are The Steps Of Changing My Car Drive Axle?

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

Step 1

Firstly, you should remove the automobile’s axle nut. After that, the automobile’s hubcap should be removed. Then detach the cotter pin from the axle nut. After that, you should unfasten the axle nut. A specific amount of torque is required while removing the nut and it should be done before you lift the car. 

Step 2

Carefully remove the wheels as well as car brake assembly. Then the appropriate side of the car should be jacked up. After that, the wheel should be removed which requires lifting the automobile. The vehicle should be placed on the jack stands. Then carefully remove the lug nuts and the wheel, similarly as that of replacing a car tire. Then the brake caliper should be separated. The outer tie rods from the steering knuckle should be unbolted. After that, you should unbolt the hub from the strut tower.

Step 3

Then the final step is to remove and replace the CV Axle. After that, you should pry the CV joint. The new CV axle should be inserted into the transmission housing. There would be a need to reinsert the new axle into the center of the hub assembly at the same spot where the old axle was removed. The assemblies should be refastened in the same order in which they were removed. Then the car wheel should be reattached. Carefully tighten the axle nut.

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FAQ
The driveshaft, which runs from the rear of the transmission to the rear differential gearbox and is visible beneath the car, runs down the middle of the vehicle. The steel rear-ends housings that extend from the differential to each of the rear wheels conceal the axle shafts.
When a CV joint or axle shaft is damaged in any way it impairs its balance while rotating, the shaft will vibrate excessively while the vehicle is being driven. As the vehicle speed increases, the vibrations may oscillate or become more pronounced.
The replacement of one axle takes about 30 minutes because it includes disassembling your front wheel and hub assembly. However, this time may increase or decrease depending on the type of axle your vehicle has which varies according to different manufacturers and car types.
Each pair of wheels in a passenger car has two axles. Despite several developments in the design of the vehicles, the quantity of axles hasn’t changed throughout the years. A normal passenger car has two axles whereas larger vehicles that carry more passengers have more wheels and consequently more axles.
There are three basic types of suspension components: linkages, springs, and shock absorbers.
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John Framigllia
Technical Writer
Our technical writer is known for simplifying automotive parts and services. Intuitive with various vehicles and manufacturers, he knows how to simplify complicated problems.