We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What is an Axle?

By Carol Francois
Updated Feb 07, 2024
Our promise to you
WikiMotors is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WikiMotors, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

An axle is a straight shaft that is fixed in location and is used to mount rotating wheels or gears. The wheel or gear can be attached to it with a built in bearing or bushing. A bearing or bushing fits inside the center of the wheel and allows it to rotate without affecting the axle itself. The purpose of an axle is to secure the wheels or gears to specific locations relative to other wheels or gears.

Every vehicle with wheels has an axle. To find it, look for the wheels and then look underneath the vehicle for a method of securing the wheel in place. Without an axle, the wheels would not remain fixed in position and the force and weight of the vehicle would make the wheel bend flat.

In a vehicle, the axle absorbs braking and acceleration forces, as well as the actual weight of the vehicle. It forms a central part of the structural strength of the vehicle, and it must be able to absorb the weight and transfer the forces away from the wheels in order to reduce pressure on the joints of the vehicle. In a modern vehicle, this part plays a role in the driving, braking and steering functions. The design has been modified over time to accommodate these multiple requirements and to ensure an appropriate level of structural support.

The drive train of a vehicle is the system of transferring the power of the motor into a force that rotates the axle. This rotation, in turn, moves the wheels, which moves the vehicle. When you apply the brakes on a vehicle, the rotation of the axle is slowed by the application of friction to reduce the rate of wheel rotation. The steering wheel is attached to a steering axle, which controls the direction of the front wheels through the attachment to the front wheel axle.

There are three different kinds in vehicles: straight, split and tandem. In a straight axle, there is one shaft connecting the two parallel wheels. The wheels are both secured in place onto the axle. The rotation rate and direction is fixed by the axle. The benefits of this type are the ability to keep the wheel position consistent and distribute the weight of heavy loads evenly.

In a split-axle design, each wheel is attached to a separate shaft. The purpose of this split is to provide a fixed position for the wheel, but also to allow each wheel to move independently of the other. This type is used on passenger cars. With a tandem axle, there are multiple axles located in relatively close proximity to each other. The purpose of this design is to increase the weight capacity of the vehicle and is most commonly used on large trucks.

WikiMotors is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

By anon75903 — On Apr 08, 2010

It just means you don't know how to drive.

By anon42036 — On Aug 18, 2009

is not knowing how to drive considered dumb?

WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.