Hypoid reduction gear. Straight bevel reduction gear. Spiral bevel reduction gear. Worm and wheel redution gear. Axle shafts. Axle Shafts Design Rear axle construction In cases where the rear suspension is non-independent, the type of axle used is either a dead axle or a live axle. The former only has to support the weight of the vehicle, where the latter has to fulfill this task and, in addition, contain a gear and shaft mechanism to drive the road wheels. Axle shafts The axle shaft (half shaft) transmits the drive from the differential sun wheel to the rear hub. Operating conditions The total weight of the rear of the vehicle may exert a bending action on the half shaft. During cornering a side force acts upon the road wheel which imposes a bending load and an end thrust becomes a ‘pull’.
Stresses The various types may be compared by considering the stresses the shaft has to resist Fig. 1a shows a line sketch of a simple haft which is subjected to: 1- torsional stress due to driving and braking torque. 2- Shear stress due to the weight of the vehicle (Fig. 1b). Types of axles · Semi-floating · Three-quarter floating.