A vehicle’s suspension system is quite complex and features many different components. Each component must work in unison to deliver a comfortable and controllable suspension. When it comes to delivering power from your transmission to the drive wheels, a special type of component must be used to rotate your tires at the correct speed. Depending on your vehicle, you might have a CV axle or axle shaft. Today, we will look at the difference between each component to give you a better understanding of what you have in your vehicle.
What Are CV Axles?
A CV Axle, or constant velocity axle, allows your transmission to drive the front wheels while allowing your vehicle to turn smoothly. CV axles have bearings that allow for a wide range of motion and angles to provide power and turning abilities. CV axles differ from straight axles that can be typically found in rear-wheel-drive cars. These axles transfer power to non-steering wheels. A CV axle looks similar to a straight axle but with a CV joint on each end. CV axles are mainly used in front-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles.
What Are Axle Shafts?
An axle shaft is a heavy-duty, load-bearing component that transfers power from the transmission to the rear wheels. Axle shafts are sometimes referred to as axles. They connect the rear differential to the rear wheels. Power is transferred from the engine to the transmission through the driveshaft and differential to turn your axles. Axle shafts can be solid without a joint or similar to a CV axle with two joints.
What About Driveshafts?
Driveshafts are used to connect the transmission to the differential. This component stretches across the underside of your rear-wheel drive vehicle to allow your rear wheels to turn. Driveshafts are normally made from steel but can be found in aluminum or carbon fiber construction for upgraded or high-performance applications. Driveshafts are used in conjunction with axles in rear-wheel drive vehicles. U-joint is used to connect the driveshaft to the transmission and differential flanges.
Which Does My Vehicle Have?
It is important to know the components that make up your suspension system. Let’s take a look at the most common setups in most vehicles.
Front Wheel Drive: These vehicles will utilize CV axles and no driveshaft.
Rear Wheel Drive: These vehicles will utilize a driveshaft and axles or axle shafts.
All-Wheel Drive: These vehicles can use a combination of all of the above depending on the type of vehicle.
High-Quality CV Axles From GSP Latin America
GSP offers some of the highest quality CV axles for the aftermarket automotive industry. GSP offers both standard CV axles and heavy-duty CV axles for extreme environments. Heat Treated - All GSP Axle components are heat treated to the highest standards to provide premium strength, increased tensile, and extended service life.
Quality Control - All CV Shafts undergo an extensive quality control process to ensure a long and trouble-free performance.
Precision Fitment - Machined splines for precise OEM fitment.
Premium Materials - GSP sources only premium raw materials to manufacture their products.
