Front axle assemblies connect the front wheels of a vehicle and can include steering and suspension components. Drive axles deliver torque to the wheels, while dead axles support the weight of the vehicle. The design and function of front axle assemblies vary depending on the vehicle type. Portal axles are useful for off-road vehicles but can be more expensive and have more moving parts. Larger vehicles may have more than one axle.
Motor vehicles generally roll forward on two or more tires. A front axle assembly is the unit that connects two wheels at the front of a vehicle and allows those wheels to spin freely and sometimes independently. Very simple front axle assembly models may not include much beyond the axle, axle housing, and bearings to allow the axle itself to rotate, while other assemblies that are more complex may include steering and suspension components. The main purpose of the axle in most cases is to support the weight of the vehicle, but this is not always the case.
If the front axle assembly is a drive axle, that unit will help deliver torque to the wheels. This means that the transmission and motor will produce the power and transfer it to the axle, which will have gears that will rotate the axle shaft. Front wheel drive vehicles will have such a front axle assembly, while rear wheel drive vehicles will not. On a rear wheel drive vehicle, the front axle may simply be a load and suspension component. It can also present address components.
The specific size, shape, and function of a front axle assembly can vary significantly depending on the type of vehicle in which it is mounted. A portal axle, for example, will mount in such a way that it is not directly in line with the centers of the wheels. Instead, it will be above the center; This axle design is useful for off-road vehicles that require additional clearance over rough terrain. The hubs of such axle systems often have their own drive systems, which means that a portal axle is likely to have more moving parts and also more weight than a typical axle. The cost of such assemblies can also be much higher than a standard system.
Larger vehicles may have more than one axle. A dead axle, or one that simply spins freely and has no steering system at all, can be mounted in front of a driveshaft to support the weight of the vehicle, effectively taking this stress off the driveshaft. This dead axle can be mounted in front of or behind the driveshaft, depending on the specific vehicle design. If it is in front of the drive assembly it is usually known as a drive shaft, and it is known as a tag shaft if it is mounted behind the drive assembly.
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