Figure 13-22.-Three-quarter floating rear axle.Figure 13-23.-Full floating rear axle.The axle shafts in a three-quarter floating axle(fig. 13-22) may be removed with the wheels, keyed tothe tapered outer ends of the shafts. The inner ends ofthe shaft are carried as in a semifloating axle. The axlehousing, instead of the shafts, carries the weight of thevehicle because the wheels are supported by bearingson the outer ends of the housing. However, axle shaftsmust take the stresses caused by the turning, skidding,and wobbling of the wheels. Three-quarter floatingaxles are used in some trucks, but in very few passengercars. Most heavy trucks have a full floating axle(fig. 13-23). These axle shafts may be removed andreplaced without removing the wheels or disturbing thedifferential. Each wheel is carried on the end of the axletube on two ball bearings or roller bearings, and the axleshafts are not rigidly connected to the wheels. Thewheels are driven through a clutch arrangement orflange on the ends of the axle shaft that is bolted to theoutside of the wheel hub. The bolted connection betweenthe axle and wheel does not make this assembly a truefull floating axle, but nevertheless, it is called a floatingaxle. A true full floating axle transmits only turningeffort, or torque.SUMMARYChapter 13 explained how power developed by theengine is transmitted to perform the work required of it.It discussed the following mechanisms of the powertrain:The clutch is incorporated in the powertrain toprovide a means of disconnecting the power ofthe engine from the driving wheels andaccessory equipment.The transmission transfers engine power from theclutch shaft to the propeller shaft and allows theoperator to control the power and speed of thevehicle by selecting various gear ratios.Transfer cases provide the necessary offsets foradditional propeller shaft connections to drivethe wheels.Propeller shaft assemblies provide a flexibleconnection through which power is transmittedfrom the transmission to the axle.Axles are used to support part of the weight of avehicle; they also drive the wheels connected tothem.13-18
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