The Basics of Buying Axles.
The vehicle has different components which are held together by one thing or the other and the front lower end is usually kept together by the axle. For visual purposes, it is the steel rod connecting the transmission gears to the wheel. The axle is what enables the car to keep moving. In case of damage to the axle which may be brought about by breakage, stress or general wear, the vehicle will not be functioning properly. The worst thing that can happen is the drivetrain being driven to the ground. You can tell when the axle malfunction due to the noises it makes which can be popping, grinding or even clicking sounds. At times it will cause vibrations and you can feel them on the steering wheel or even the floorboards. Don’t wait for things to get worse but rather have the vehicle checked by a mechanic.
In some cases, the damage to the axle will be irreparable which is why you should go ahead and purchase a new one. It is important for you to go for the best when you are choosing an axle but the only way around that is knowing just what it takes for you to get there. Start by figuring out what kind of an axle is essential for your vehicle. Drive axles come into three types which are the three-quarter floating, full-floating or semi-floating. For the semi-floating drive axles, they are mostly seen in light trucks and even on passenger vehicles. This kind of an axle will bear a high weight but it also the reason it is vulnerable to tension, shearing, not forgetting compression. Full-floating axle is more expensive and heavier and it can support larger loads. Three-quarter floating axle is a combination of the two and it costs more than the semi-floating axle. In order to make a good pick of the axle you should figure out whether the vehicle will be more suited by a one-piece axle or a two-piece.
A lot of people would recommend one-piece axles because of their superiority. Given their strength, they are more durable as opposed to the two-piece axles. Therefore, you can be sure that you will be using them for a long time before you have to replace them. If you buy the two-piece axles you will not spend a lot of money but in the long run, it will turn out to be more expensive. If you make up your mind to buy the one piece axle you should choose one with tapered bearings. They are more durable which means they will hold their ground much longer compared to the roller bearings.