Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Axle shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Axle offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Axle at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Axle? Wrong! If the Axle is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Axle then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Axle? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Axle and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Axle wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Axle then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Axle site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Axle, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Axle, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
An
axle is a central shaft for a
rotation wheel or gear. In some cases the axle may be fixed in position with a bearing (mechanical) or bushing sitting inside the hole in the wheel or gear to allow the wheel or gear to rotate around the axle. In other cases the wheel or gear may be fixed to the axle, with bearings or bushings provided at the mounting points where the axle is supported. Sometimes, especially on
bicycles, the latter type is referred to as a
spindle.
Vehicle axles
Axles are an integral structural component of a wheeled
vehicle. The axles maintain the position of the wheels relative to each other and to the vehicle body. Since for most vehicles the wheels are the only part touching the ground, the axles must bear the weight of the vehicle plus any cargo, and also any acceleration forces between the vehicle and the ground. In addition to the structural purpose, axles may serve one or more of the following purposes depending on the design of the vehicle.
- DrivetrainOne or more axles may be an integral part of the drivetrain. A mechanical system (typically a electric motor) exerts a rotational force on the axle, which is transferred to the wheel(s) to accelerate the vehicle.
- BrakeConversely a vehicle may be slowed by applying force to brake the rotation of the axle. Consumer vehicles' brakes are part of the wheel assembly and therefore exert friction on the wheels directly, but engine braking may still be effected via the axle.
- SteeringThe front axle of most automobiles is a steering axle. The vehicle is maneuvered by controlling the direction of the front wheels' Axis_of_rotation relative to the body and rear wheels.
Structural features
WheelA straight axle is a single rigid shaft connecting a wheel on the left side of the vehicle to a wheel on the right side. The axis of rotation fixed by the axle is common to both wheels. Such a design can keep the wheel positions steady under heavy stress, and can therefore support heavy loads. Straight axles are used on
trains, for the rear axles of commercial trucks, and on heavy duty off-road vehicles. The axle can be protected and further reinforced by enclosing the length of the axle in a housing.
In a split axle design, the wheel on each side is attached to a separate shaft. Modern passenger cars generally have split front and rear axles. This allows independent suspension of the left and right wheels, and therefore a smoother ride. It also permits the left and right wheels to rotate at different speeds as the automobile turns, improving traction and extending tire life.
A tandem axle is a group of two or more axles situated close together. Trucks designs will use such a configuration to provide a greater weight capacity than a single axle. Semi trailers usually have a tandem axle at the rear.
===Drive axles===An axle that is driven by the engine is called a
drive axle.
Modern front wheel drive cars typically combine the Transmission (mechanics) and front axle into a single unit called a transaxle. The drive axle is a split axle with a Differential (mechanics) and universal joints between the two half axles. Each half axle connects to the wheel by use of a
Constant-velocity joint which allows the wheel assembly to move freely vertically as well as to pivot when making turns.
In
rear wheel drive cars and trucks, the engine turns a driveshaft which transmits rotational force to a drive axle at the rear of the vehicle. The drive axle may be a live axle, but modern automobiles generally use a split axle with a differential.
Some simple vehicle designs, such as
Go karts, may have a single drive wheel. The drive axle is a split axle with only one of the two shafts driven by the engine.
Dead axles/lazy axles
A
dead axle, also called
lazy axle, is not part of the drivetrain but is instead free-rotating. The rear axle of a front-wheel drive car may be considered a dead axle. Many trucks and trailers use dead axles for strictly load-bearing purposes. A dead axle located immediately in front of a drive axle is called a
pusher axle. A
tag axle is a dead axle situated behind a drive axle.
Some
dump trucks and trailers are configured with
airlift axles, which may be mechanically raised or lowered. The axle is lowered to increase the weight capacity, or to distribute the weight of the cargo over more wheels, for example to cross a weight restricted bridge. When not needed, the axle is lifted off the ground, to save wear on the tires and axle and increase traction in the remaining wheels. Lifting an axle also makes the vehicle tighten turns better.
Several manufacturers offer computer-controlled airlift, so that the dead axles are automacally lowered when the main axle reaches its weight limit. The axles can still be lifted by the press of a button if needed.
See also
Patents
- , D. Balachowsky and P Caire, Driving Axle
An
axle is a central shaft for a rotation
wheel or gear. In some cases the axle may be fixed in position with a bearing (mechanical) or
bushing sitting inside the hole in the wheel or gear to allow the wheel or gear to rotate around the axle. In other cases the wheel or gear may be fixed to the axle, with bearings or bushings provided at the mounting points where the axle is supported. Sometimes, especially on
bicycles, the latter type is referred to as a spindle.
Vehicle axles
Axles are an integral structural component of a wheeled vehicle. The axles maintain the position of the wheels relative to each other and to the vehicle body. Since for most vehicles the wheels are the only part touching the ground, the axles must bear the weight of the vehicle plus any cargo, and also any acceleration forces between the vehicle and the ground. In addition to the structural purpose, axles may serve one or more of the following purposes depending on the design of the vehicle.
- DrivetrainOne or more axles may be an integral part of the drivetrain. A mechanical system (typically a electric motor) exerts a rotational force on the axle, which is transferred to the wheel(s) to accelerate the vehicle.
- BrakeConversely a vehicle may be slowed by applying force to brake the rotation of the axle. Consumer vehicles' brakes are part of the wheel assembly and therefore exert friction on the wheels directly, but engine braking may still be effected via the axle.
- SteeringThe front axle of most automobiles is a steering axle. The vehicle is maneuvered by controlling the direction of the front wheels' Axis_of_rotation relative to the body and rear wheels.
Structural features
WheelA straight axle is a single rigid shaft connecting a wheel on the left side of the vehicle to a wheel on the right side. The axis of rotation fixed by the axle is common to both wheels. Such a design can keep the wheel positions steady under heavy stress, and can therefore support heavy loads. Straight axles are used on
trains, for the rear axles of commercial
trucks, and on heavy duty off-road vehicles. The axle can be protected and further reinforced by enclosing the length of the axle in a housing.
In a split axle design, the wheel on each side is attached to a separate shaft. Modern passenger cars generally have split front and rear axles. This allows independent suspension of the left and right wheels, and therefore a smoother ride. It also permits the left and right wheels to rotate at different speeds as the automobile turns, improving traction and extending tire life.
A tandem axle is a group of two or more axles situated close together. Trucks designs will use such a configuration to provide a greater weight capacity than a single axle. Semi trailers usually have a tandem axle at the rear.
===Drive axles===An axle that is driven by the engine is called a
drive axle.
Modern
front wheel drive cars typically combine the
Transmission (mechanics) and front axle into a single unit called a
transaxle. The drive axle is a split axle with a
Differential (mechanics) and
universal joints between the two half axles. Each half axle connects to the wheel by use of a Constant-velocity joint which allows the wheel assembly to move freely vertically as well as to pivot when making turns.
In
rear wheel drive cars and trucks, the engine turns a driveshaft which transmits rotational force to a drive axle at the rear of the vehicle. The drive axle may be a live axle, but modern automobiles generally use a split axle with a differential.
Some simple vehicle designs, such as Go karts, may have a single drive wheel. The drive axle is a split axle with only one of the two shafts driven by the engine.
Dead axles/lazy axles
A
dead axle, also called
lazy axle, is not part of the drivetrain but is instead free-rotating. The rear axle of a front-wheel drive car may be considered a dead axle. Many trucks and trailers use dead axles for strictly load-bearing purposes. A dead axle located immediately in front of a drive axle is called a
pusher axle. A
tag axle is a dead axle situated behind a drive axle.
Some
dump trucks and trailers are configured with
airlift axles, which may be mechanically raised or lowered. The axle is lowered to increase the weight capacity, or to distribute the weight of the cargo over more wheels, for example to cross a weight restricted
bridge. When not needed, the axle is lifted off the ground, to save wear on the tires and axle and increase traction in the remaining wheels. Lifting an axle also makes the vehicle tighten turns better.
Several manufacturers offer computer-controlled airlift, so that the dead axles are automacally lowered when the main axle reaches its weight limit. The axles can still be lifted by the press of a button if needed.
See also
Patents
- , D. Balachowsky and P Caire, Driving Axle
