Sexton Off Road - Axle Shafts, Seals and Parts

Drivetrain and Differential - Axle Shafts, Seals and Parts
The axle is the shaft that is attached to the wheel, it puts the final drivetrain power to the ground. Front axles came in two variations Independent front suspension and Solid axle. In IFS the two wheels can move independently of each other and need more complicated parts to make them function properly where as Solid axle are simpler and typically stronger with a live housing between the two wheels. This results in a disadvantage due to one wheel affecting the other and more unsprung weight than IFS. So drive ability suffers in some conditions.

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Drivetrain and Differential - Axle Shafts, Seals and Parts - C-Clips
C clip axles hold the axle shaft into the housing on the end of the shaft this little vital part should be replaced when ever you pull the carrier apart.
Drivetrain and Differential - Axle Shafts, Seals and Parts - Front Axle Parts
Front axle shafts come in two varieties independent front suspension (IFS) and solid axle. Solid Axle is considered generally stronger and more capable when rock crawling, IFS is gaining ground and...More Details »
Drivetrain and Differential - Axle Shafts, Seals and Parts - Rear Axle parts
There are two main types of rear axles Semi Float Axles and Full Float Axles. A full float axle rides on the bearings and supports the weight of the vehicle on the axle spindle and is generally...More Details »
Drivetrain and Differential - Axle Shafts, Seals and Parts - Axle Studs
Studs are a vitally important part of the axle. This is what holds the wheel on the vehicle. Large studs are 9/16"-7/8" for the 1 ton axles and the majority of the 1/2 ton and down run a 7/16"- 1/2" wheel stud. They also come in Metric sizes.


More About Axle Shafts, Seals and Parts

The axle is the shaft that is attached to the wheel, it puts the final drivetrain power to the ground. There are two main types of rear axles Semi Float Axles and Full Float Axles. A full float axle rides on the bearings and supports the weight of the vehicle on the axle spindle and is generally considered stronger than a semi float. Most of your 1 ton like Dana 60, GM 14 bolt and larger axles are of the full float axle variety. A Semi-float axle is typical of the smaller 4 wheel drives and usually has a bearing pressed on toward the axle flange. this bearing is what supports the vehicle weight inside a bearing pocket. Some designs have an internal c clip that holds the axle wheel and entire assembly into the axle housing this can be problematic if you break it while moving you have a tendency to lose the tire wheel and what remains of the shaft leaving the truck on the ground. Other axles like the Ford 9" have a semi float design that hold the axle shaft in place with a bearing retainer. This bearing retainer is bolted on the end of the housing holding the bearing in place and if you were to break and axle shaft it would still keep the wheel and tire in place allowing you to get off the trail and make it home.