Ford Axle Assembly

The Ford axle assembly is a step in the process that brings the power of the engine to the wheels of your vehicle, allowing it to travel down the road. The chain of components that makes this transfer of power possible is called the drive train. The transmission receives the torque power of the engine from the crankshaft, then relays it to the Ford axle assembly, which consists of components that include the constant velocity joints and boots and the axle shafts. The Ford axle assembly then transmits the power to the drive wheels to propel the vehicle. The various parts that make up the Ford axle assembly are crucial to this process, and must be well maintained for the vehicle to be safe and reliable. The CV joints are quite sensitive to contamination from dirt and debris. For this reason, the Ford axle assembly includes a CV boot to lubricate and protect each one. The CV boot is a rubber boot packed with heavy lubricating grease to keep the CV joint safe from the elements and abrasive road debris. The CV boot can become torn or cracked, allowing the grease to leak away, leaving the CV joint vulnerable to failure, which would leave your vehicle at a standstill. If you begin to hear clicking noises as you go around corners or curves, or feel a rough jerk as you accelerate, these can indicate excessive wear in the CV joints or other Ford axle assembly parts. Our secure site features a selection of quality Ford axle assembly replacements at very reasonable prices. Ordering is fast and convenient on our secure site or our excellent customer service representatives can help you with your Ford axle assembly order when you dial our toll-free number.

Axle shafts are an important part of Ford vehicles that carry huge loads for the sake of transportation. To be more specific, they 're the parts responsible for power transmission to the tires. In light of the expensiveness of replacing an axle shaft boot alone (in some cases, it can reach a small fortune), motorists should know exactly what to look for in a Ford axle assembly to avoid making costly mistakes and buying a lemon of an axle shaft.

Considerations When Shopping for a Ford Axle Assembly

Choosing a Dead Axle or a Drive Axle:Every type of axle shaft has a different use corresponding to the size of your Ford. They include:

Dead Axle:A dead axle is common in Fords with front wheel drive (2WD) because it 's the component that acquires no drive from your engine. Its main objective is to carry vehicular weight. As such, they work superbly on trucks and trailers. There are two subtypes of this axle called tag axle and pusher axle. The tag axle is a dead axle that sits directly behind the drive axle. A pusher axle is a dead axle that sits directly in front of the drive axle.

Drive Axle:As its name suggests, the drive axle assists in driving the wheels when on the road while at the same time supporting the weight of the vehicle and its load. It 's made up of universal joints between a split axle wherein the two halves of the axle are each connected to the wheel. Modern front wheel drive Ford cars typically use a transaxle, which combines the front axle and the transmission into one component.

Choosing a Type of Drive Axle:The different types of drive axle are categorized in accordance to varying degrees of stresses. They include:

Three-Quarter Floating Axle:Although the three-quarter floating axle tends to undergo great torsional stress, it still works well on lighter commercial Ford vehicles as well as Ford cars. The bearing is located between the hub and the axle casing. However, the shaft suffers from driving torque and taking end loads. However, many drivers prefer semi-floating axle over this axle type because it 's less expensive.

Semi-Floating Axle:Owners of a Ford light passenger truck or vehicle should get a semi-floating axle because it contains a lighter differential with the vehicle 's weight lying on the axle shaft itself. This type of axle does have downsides like the tendency to suffer from stresses like compression, tension, shearing, and bending as you travel on the road. In case the shaft breaks, there 's a chance of the wheels coming off altogether.

Full-Floating Axle:As for the full-floating axle, this axle assembly is perfect for large trucks and heavy vehicles meant to carry the heftiest of loads. This axle type is the heaviest and most expensive of the different drive axles available. Its shafts carry driving torque instead of weight, while the axle casing and the wheels are what supports the weight of the vehicle and its load.

The Bottom Line

Before buying a new or used axle assembly, you should first know the different type of axle available. Both the dead axle and drive axle has corresponding subtypes, although the subtypes of the drive axle are more significant to know about than the dead axle in light of its function on your vehicle. If you 're not certain which axle assembly to buy, you can always consult your vehicle manuals or seek guidance from a mechanic for more details.