3 Drive Shaft Functions In The Car
The driveshaft is a part/component of the drive train system, better known as the axle. The driveshaft itself is more familiarly found in cars with front-wheel drives or four-wheel drives that use independent suspension.
Because it is considered an axle, finding the drive shaft location is also fairly easy. Get under the car, then look at the center axle of the car wheel on the inside. You will see an axle that connects the car wheel with the transmission. This component is known as the driveshaft.
So what is the function of the drive shaft in the car? In the following article, we will share information about the 3 drive shaft functions in a car .. see the 3 drive shaft functions below...
1. Passes the torque and speed from the transmission to the wheels.
The drive shaft's main function is to continue the transmission's rotational power to be forwarded into wheel rotation. The drive shaft will transmit the power and rotational speed that has been generated from the transmission. Yes, the drive shaft becomes the connecting shaft that connects the transmission to the wheels.
Since the rotational and shock loads are extreme due to the vehicle's weight and transmission, these driveshafts must be made of strong material and can withstand such intense shocks and turns.
Generally, the driveshaft is formed from a solid steel rod with each end using a ball joint, which is also sturdy. The ball joint used is included in the Constant Velocity Joint category, further divided into several models. For the outside connected to the wheels, generally using a Birfield / Rzeppa joint models, while for the inside that is connected to the transmission, generally using a Tripod Joint.
Also read :2. Provides flexibility for the wheels to move to various turning angles.
Unlike axle shafts, which are rigid and widely used in rear-drive cars, front-drive cars can provide the wheels' flexibility to move to various turning angles. Yes, the drive shaft has a high degree of flexibility, whether turning or when the suspension moves up and down, such as traveling on a bumpy road.
When the wheel turns, the inner drive shaft joint will slide slightly outward to balance the wheel turning. Likewise, when the wheel moves up or down, this driveshaft provides freedom of movement but can still rotate the wheel axle well.
This is because at each end of the driveshaft is connected to the wheel and transmission using a Constant Velocity Joint (CV Joint), which can provide free motion at a large enough angle, including one of which is shifted to extend the drive shaft arm by several centimeters.
3. As a place for the ABS Reluctor ring is installed.
Another drive shaft function is to accommodate the Reluctor ring for the Antilock Braking System (ABS) system. In the Antilock Braking System, the ABS sensor will read each wheel's rotational speed through the ABS sensor, which works in conjunction with the Reluctor ring.
The relay ring is a serrated ring on the ABS component, which functions to provide input signals to the ABS sensor about what the wheel speed is. The Reluctor ring is generally installed on the driveshaft joint that is close to the car wheel.
So, if your car is equipped with an ABS, then when you want to replace the driveshaft joint, you must pay attention to the replacement item, whether it is equipped with a Reluctor ring or not. Because if you replace it wrongly, it can cause the ABS light on the dashboard instrument to turn on.