A transverse bar or shaft connecting the opposite wheels of a car or carriage; an axletree
An axle is a rod connecting a pair of wheels on a car or other vehicle. the bar connecting two wheels on a car or other vehicle (axletree (13-21 centuries), from öxultre, from öxul + tre ). Pin or shaft on or with which wheels revolve; with fixed wheels, one of the basic simple machines for amplifying force. Combined with the wheel, in its earliest form it was probably used for raising weights or water buckets from wells. Its principle of operation can be illustrated in the attachment of large and small gears to the same shaft; the tendency of a force applied at the radius on the large gear to turn the shaft is sufficient to overcome a larger force at the radius on the small gear. The mechanical advantage is equal to the ratio of the two forces and also equal to the ratio of the radii of the two gears
A steel shaft that connects the differential to the drive wheels The axles are driven by the differential, which is driven by the transmission All are ultimately driven by the engine AMERICA'S CAR SHOW with Tom Torbjornsen provides this glossary of automotive terms so Joe Average can discuss car repair and maintenance with Technician Bob If you find a word or term you don't understand in Tom's Corner or the Forum, search for it here
What a wheel of a car spins or rotates on A "drive axle" is an axle that is actually powered and turns the wheel (such as the rear axles on a rear wheel drive car), otherwise the wheel will spin on bushings or bearings on the axle
A shaft on which a wheel revolves or which revolves with a wheel Also, a solid beam that connects the two wheels at one end of the car In the latter sense an axle is called "live" if it transmits power as in a front-engine rear-drive car It's called a "beam" or "dead" axle if the axle does nothing but support the wheels as at the rear of a front-wheel-drive car
a shaft on which a wheel or wheels rotate The axle may be fixed in the wheel so that the wheel turns when the axle rotates, or alternatively, the wheel may turn freely on the axle
the shaft on which wheels are carried The wheels are either fixed so that they turn with the axle or able to spin freely on the axle
The steel shaft on which the locomotive wheels are mounted The axle not only holds the wheels to gauge , but also transmits the load from the Axle-boxes to the wheels
A beam supporting a vehicle on which one or more wheels turn Axles also house and support the differential shafts, and wheels that propel the vehicle Axles can be driving, which convey the power to turn the wheels, or dead, merely supporting the vehicle's weight and allowing the wheels to turn Axles are designed to suit a variety of suspension systems Beam axles are traditional, but many vehicles now utilize axle assemblies for independent suspension systems
A component of a rotary latch that provides the bearing surface of the rotating rotor/catch and latch mounting (Mounting: Through Latch)
A rod on which a wheel turns or one connected to a wheel so that they turn together; a bar connecting two opposite wheels
Structural component to which wheels, brakes and suspension are attached Drive axles are those with powered wheels Front axle is usually called the steer axle Pusher axles are unpowered and go ahead of drive axles Rear axles may be drive, tag or pusher types Tag axles are unpowered and go behind drive axles
The part of the framing of a railway car or truck, by which an axle box is held laterally, and in which it may move vertically; also called a jaw in the United States, and a housing in England
The static weight carried by an individual axle This determined the routes over which vehicles (especially locomotives) might run taking into account the strength of the infrastructure, that is bridges and track work From the 1930s it was realised that the dynamic axle load (allowing for the “hammer blow” effect of reciprocating parts) was more relevant and significant
The weight that is applied by one axle, on a carriage or engine, to the track Generally axle load refers to the maximum weight permitted on a single axle
the load borne by one axle of a traffic vehicle, a movable bridge, or other motive equipment or device and transmitted through a wheel or wheels to a supporting structure See also wheel concentration
a simple machine consisting of a wheel (or similar lever) that turns an axle around which a cord is wound; its mechanical advantage is the ratio of the diameters of the wheel and axle
(Otomotiv) The number of times the rear wheels turn compared to a particular transmission speed. The higher the rear axle ratio, the slower the engine can run and still allow the car to achieve a given speed
simple machine comprised of a wheel attached concentrically to a drum so that a rope will wind and unwind alternately from the wheel to the drum creating mechanical advantage
A simple machine consisting of an axle to which a wheel is fastened so that torque applied to the wheel winds a rope or chain onto the axle, yielding a mechanical advantage equal to the ratio of the diameter of the wheel to that of the axle