Front Axle

Introduction:
An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. On wheeled vehicles, the axle may be fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to its surroundings, with the wheels rotating around the axle. Front wheels of the vehicle are mounted on front axles.

Functions of front axle:

Functions of front axle are listed below:

• It supports the weight of front part of the vehicle.
• It facilitates steering.
• It absorbs shocks which are transmitted due to road surface irregularities.
• It absorbs torque applied on it due to braking of vehicle.

Construction and Operation:

• Front axle is made of I-section in the middle portion and circular or elliptical section at the ends.
• The special x-section of the axle makes it able to withstand bending loads due to weight of the vehicle and torque applied due to braking.
• On kind of front axle is shown in Figure which consists of main beam, stub axle, and swivel pin, etc.
• The wheels are mounted on stub axles.

TYPES OF FRONT AXLES

There are two types of front axles:

(a) Dead front axle, and

(b) Line front axle.

 

Dead Front Axle

Line Front Axle

• Dead axles are those axles, which don’t rotate. These axles have sufficient rigidity and strength to take the weight.
• The ends of front axle are suitably designed to accommodate stub axles.
• Line axles are used to transmit power from gear box to front wheels. Line front axles although, front wheels.
• Line front axles although resemble rear axles but they are different at the ends where wheels are mounted. Maruti-800 has line front axle.