Rear Axle:

Rear-axle is the half shaft that is used to transmit the power from the differential to the rear wheels and
in most of the automobiles, Rear Axles are the drive shafts.

Two rear axles are placed in between the differential and the wheels. The differential and the rear axles
are enclosed in a housing that is protected from dust, rain, etc.

Types of Rear Axles:

Rear Axles are classified based on:

Rear axle casing and

Method of supporting

Rear Axle Casing:

According to the casing of Rear axle, it is classified as

Split Type casing

Banjo Type or Separate Carrier type

Integral Carrier type

Split Type casing:

In Split type casing, the axle casing is made into two halves and they are bolted together employing nuts
as an assembly.

The Disadvantage of Split Type Casing:

The disadvantage of this case is if any fault arises, the whole axle casing has to disassemble and due to
this reason it is obsolete now.

Banjo Type Casing:

Banjo type casing is of one-piece type i.e. the whole casing acts as a single unit whose shape looks like a
banjo.

The whole differential unit is to be placed in this banjo casing at the center and the two axles are placed
at either end so that the power can be transmitted to the wheels via rear axles.

Advantage of Banjo Type Casing:

The advantage of this case is, if any fault arises, just remove the rear axles from the sides and if the
problem is not solved then remove the differential unit by opening the bolts.

Integral Carrier Type:

Its construction is similar to that of banjo type except that it has a permanent housing tube pressed and
welded in the sides. It is also called as Unitized carrier housing according to S.A.E. Nomenclature.

Advantage of Integral Carrier Type:

This type of housing is most widely used these days in rear-wheel-drive cars.

Method of Supporting:

Based on the method of supporting, it is classified as

Semi-Floating Axle

Full-Floating Axle

Three quarter Floating Axle

The explanation for the above types of axles is as follows.

Note: In all these cases, the placement of bearings places a vital role.
Semi-Floating Axle:

The axle casing is around the axle shaft and the wheel hub is directly connected to the axle shaft as
shown in the figure.

In the semi-floating axle, the bearing which supports the axle was placed inside the casing. The axle of
the wheel is located at the center of the axle casing.

The whole weight of the vehicle is transmitted to the half shafts through the casing and the bearings.

This load causes bending and a tendency to shear at the point marked ‘A’ as shown in the fig. Besides,
side forces also cause end thrust and bending moment in the axle shafts.

However, the axle shafts have to support all the loads, the diameter of the axle shaft has to be larger.

Advantage of Semi-Floating Axle:

This axle is the cheapest and simplest of all types of axles.

Application of Semi-Floating Axle:

This type of semi-floating axle is mostly used in cars because the loads acting are less compared to
heavier vehicles.

Full-Floating Axle:

As shown in the figure, the axle shafts have flanges at the outer ends and are connected to the flanged
sleeve through bolts.

The axle shafts carry only the driving torque whereas the sideload is carried by the two taper roller
bearings supporting the axle casing.

The weight of the vehicle is completely supported by the axle casing and the wheels. As the axle shafts
carry only the driving torque, their failure does not affect the wheels. i.e. the vehicle can travel even
with a broken half shaft.

The disadvantage of Full-Floating Axles:

It is costliest then other types of axles.

Advantage of Full-Floating Axle:

This type of full-floating axle is mostly used in heavier vehicles.

Three Quarter Floating Axle:

This axle is a compromise in between the simplest semi-floating axle and the robust Full-floating axle.

In this axle, bearings are placed between the wheel and the axle casing and on the outer side of the
casing. At the end of the axle, the wheels are fitted through a key, bolt, or nut.

Advantage of Three Quarter Floating Axle:

The main advantage of this axle over the half floating axle is that the major part of the load is taken by
the axle casing and not by an axle.

Stub Axle:

An axle which supports only one wheel of a pair on the opposite sides of a vehicle is called stub axle.
Types of Stub Axle:

The 4 types of Stub axles are as follows.

Lamoine

Reverse Lamoine

Elliot

Reverse Elliot

Lamoine:

This Lamoine stub axle type has an L-shaped spindle instead of a yoke-type hinge.

Reverse Lamoine:

Its layout is opposite to the layout of a standard Lamoine stub axle.

Elliot:

This type of stub axle uses a kingpin, a cotter and a yoke to connect to the front axle.

Reverse Elliot:

This type has the layout opposite to that of a standard Elliot stub axle.

This is the explanation for the Types of Axles in a detailed way. Feel free to share your doubts or
thoughts regarding this, and also don't forget to