THE REAR AXLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 February 1929, Page 12

THE REAR AXLE.

j FACTS WORTH KNOWING.

The rear axle assembly is inside up of the following parts or units: The differential, the driving shafts, the housing, the bearings, and we might say■ the brakes. Thero : are a number of different ways in which the above members are coupled together, and these differences in design result in the units performing different results. Thus we have what is termed the full-floating aixle, the semi-floating axle, and the live axle. The live axle differs much from the full-floating. In it the driving-axle shafts carry the weight of the car and take care of the side-thrust, the wheels being directly fastened to the ends of the shafts. To remove the (shafts, the wheels must be dismounted, the entire assembly must be taken out of the car, the housing then pulled apart, and, finally, the differential must also be taken apart. As some of _t lie highest priced cars have the live axle, it is a matter of engineering opinion, as to which type is the best. The cost of repairs of the full-floating will usually bo very much less than for the live axle because it is so easy to get at. Here is something worth knowing. Should a gear of the differential or transmission break, so that a movement of these parts would result in the ruin of other parts, the car equipped with a full-floating axle cam be towed to a garage, by simply pulling out the driving* axles. This would in reality, I convert the automobile into a carriage, I t cannot be done where the car has a live axle, it being necessary, in .this case, to put ai truck under the wheels. It is important that the oil or grease in the differential be kept at just the right level. If too much is put in it will run along the shaft and get into the brakes. Most cars have a plug screwed, into the housing, about three or four inches from the lowest part, and

grease or a- heavy oil should l>e maintained at. such a level that it will just flow out of this plug hole. If oil or grease gets on to the brakes even though the level is right, then the felt washers will probably be found to be badly worn and will need replacing.