THE REAR AXLE

Manawatu Times, Issue 6848, 1 March 1929, Page 4

THE REAR AXLE

PACTS WORTH KNOWING. The rear axle assembly is made up of the following parts or units: The differential, the driving shafts, the housing, the bearings, and we might say the brakes.

There 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 axle, the semi-floating axle and tho live axle. , The live axle differs much from the full-floating. In it the driving-axle shafts carry tho weight of the car and take care of tho 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 the highest priced cars have tho 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 be 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 can _be towed to a garage, by simply pulling cut the driving axles. This would, in reality, convert the automobile into a carriage. It cannot be done where the ear has a live axle, it being necessary, in this case, to put a 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 be 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 bo badly worn and will need replacing.