Cars are almost a necessary part of our daily lives. But, some people know nothing about cars; they can be first-time buyers – who own a car for the first time, freaking out, “How many axles does a car have”?
So, in recent days, there’s been a misconception revolving around the number of axles an average car has.
In fact, the design evolves every other day to provide more comfort, but the number of axles remains the same.
Passenger cars have two axles (a set of two axles), one for the rear wheels and the other for the front wheels.
Moreover, you can easily count the number by looking at the car from the side and counting the number of axles without bothering someone with a question like this again!
So, What’s the Role of An Axle?
Axles are the key component of any wheeled vehicle. This simple yet elegant mechanism allows for the smooth rolling of wheels.
Furthermore, it is the main component of a wheeled vehicle and supports the wheel.
It transmits the torque from the wheel hub to the ground, making it a necessity. You can say a car won’t move without an axle.
This article will help you understand the different types of axles and how they are used in the other vehicle types.
Three Main Types of Axles on a Car?
Down the road, you’ll get to know that there are three main types of axles;
- Front axle
- Rear-axle
- Stub axle
Front Axle
The front axle of your car is often referred to as the front axle assembly or front axle assembly.
It is also responsible for turning the tires and front wheels, allowing the car to steer and drive.
Furthermore, this type of axle is considered part of the car’s suspension system, and it’s responsible for supporting the engine, transmission, and front suspension.
It is typically composed of several different parts, including spindles, suspension arms, hubs, and tie rods.
Stub Axle
A stub axle (shortened: stub) is used on front-wheel drive vehicles. It is used when the steering mechanism is not in front of the axle (e.g., in front-wheel-drive vehicles).
Stub axles are most commonly of two types: one is integrated into the front wheel’s axle drive, and the other is a separate unit.
A stub axle connected to the front drives via a driveshaft behind the front axle.
Rear Axle
The rear axle transmits power to the rear wheels. Like the front axle, it is also one of the most important vehicle systems, as it carries the weight of the vehicle and the weight of the passengers.
It is also responsible for sending power to the rear wheels through a differential or a limited-slip differential.
Mostly, rear axles are live, meaning they move with the car (rotate with the car’s wheels.)
Can You Drive With a Broken Axle?
Straight and simple, No! You can’t drive with a broken axle. A car won’t go straight if the bearings are gone or your car’s axle is bent.
Usually, a broken piece pulls one side of the vehicle, involving you in a major or minor accident (depending upon your speed).
So, don’t you dare to drive with a broken axle!
The Right Time to Repair/replace Your Vehicle’s Axles
Axles are comparable to spine bones in humans. When injured, they might fail to support the body properly and render it weak.
So you should repair or replace your axles regularly if they wear out earlier than expected.
Typical signs of worn-out and damaged axles include a visible wobble, grinding noise while driving, and loss of steering control.
However, you need to repair/replace the axle if;
- You hear a clunking sound while changing the gear.
- Feel vibrations with sounds while turning or braking.
- You suspect something unusual while roaming in your car.
Again!!! A broken axle can lead to more serious problems. Therefore, the axle problem should be identified and fixed as soon as possible.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Axle?
Money is the biggest factor everyone considers when replacing an axle.
Rear axles are cheaper than front ones because they are just iron rods or carbon steel rods connected to the rear differential.
Depending on the model and manufacturer, you can easily purchase one for not more than $150 anywhere.
However, modern cars, especially SUVs and larger vehicles, do not use ordinary iron rods. Instead, the manufacturers use axle CV shafts, which are a bit costlier.
Front-drive cars are most likely to use these CV shafts. Differential shafts are more advanced and unique than the traditional axles inside the differential housing.
Furthermore, these shafts include bearings and other unique items, making them expensive, and their price has increased to $300/set.
Conversely, if you’re short on budget, you can find a suitable pair in the second-hand parts market.
You could find a genuine and cheaper piece – but you will need to have a subtle knowledge of axles to identify the condition – whether it’s reusable on your car or not, or you will buy a bad axle.
We suggest that you go with new parts, which will help you in the long run because they last longer and are much cheaper.
It’s very uncommon to see a person changing the axle every other year, even unless you love off-roading (uneven surface) or drifting.
