Rear axle of the car - device and purpose

The rear axle is a mechanism used to transfer forces to the wheels and their subsequent movement. The path of torque transmission begins with the engine. Then the power goes to the gearbox, then to the driveshaft, the main gear, the differential and the semi-axle. Only after this, pulling forces drive the wheels. It is worth noting that in this case we are considering the leading rear axle. If it becomes a front, the second mechanism will not participate in any actions related to the transfer of torque.

On what cars is the driving axle, and on what - not?

Now the leading bridge is considered to be the front bridge, however this is not quite so. Yes, almost all modern cars, minivans and minibuses have such a design, in which the engine forces are transmitted only to the front wheels. The rear axle serves only as a beam. This mainly applies to cars. Trucks, however, have a leading rear axle. This is practically all the main tractors of American, European and Russian production. In addition, the rear axle ("UAZ Hunter 4x4" including) takes a direct part in the transmission of power on 5 and 10-ton trucks, including small-tonnage trucks. In Russia it is KAMAZ of all models and modifications, ZIL "Bychok", 130th and 133rd ZIL , and 377th "Ural". At "Gazelles" and "Gazonov" the leading bridge is also rear.

Design

The mechanism itself consists of the following parts:

1. The hollow beam, which includes 2 stamped casings, connected to each other.
2. Carter of the reducer and the reducer of the bridge.

All these devices are closely related. So, the ends of the stamped casings are welded to the flanges, which, in turn, have holes for the stuffing boxes and bearings. Due to the presence of these parts, the risk of oil leakage from the axle is reduced. By the way, if you observe that the rear axle ("UAZ Hunter 4x4" including) began to "drip", look for the problem in these devices.

There are 4 holes for fixing bolts in the face of the flange. The latter connect a special shield in which the elements of the brake system of the wheels are attached. These are brake pads and brake cylinders. Also using the aforementioned bolts, the oil-reflector and the plate fixing the semi-axle bearing in the flange seat are connected. The design of these parts assumes the availability of connecting screws and a special sealing gasket. The semiaxis enters the splined hole of the gear with the inner end, and the outer one is fixed to the ball bearing fixed with a locking ring. The brake drum is also installed on the outer end of the semi-axle . The rear axle (VAZ-2106 including), however, like the front, has a beam in its construction. On its inner side, the semi-axis guides are welded, and on the outside - the stamped cover. In the lid there is a special oil filler hole, which is closed by a conical stopper. The middle part of the beam diverges and has a small opening in which the gear housing is fixed. From the bottom of the detail there is an oil drain hole. It is screwed into the magnetic plug, which prevents sudden leakage of liquid during the movement of the car.