Question

Heavy duty trucks use axle assemblies that allow the axle housing to support the vehicle weight and the axle shaft only applies power to the wheels. This is called a ___________________.

a) Semi-floating axle
b) Power-drive axle
c) Full-floating axle
d) Non-floating axle

Answer 1

The correct type of axle assembly in heavy-duty trucks where the axle housing supports the weight and the axle shaft transmits power is known as a full-floating axle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to the type of axle assembly used in heavy-duty trucks where the axle housing bears the vehicle weight and the axle shaft transmits power to the wheels. This type of setup is known as a full-floating axle. Unlike semi-floating or non-floating axles, which may combine weight support and power transmission, the full-floating axle design distinguishes these functions, improving load-carrying capabilities and durability, which is crucial for the demands of heavy-duty vehicles.

The axle shaft, in this arrangement, can be removed without disturbing the wheel or affecting the vehicle's ability to bear weight. This design also helps in distributing vehicle weight across a larger area, leading to reduced stress on individual components and contributing to the long-term reliability of the vehicle. Therefore, the correct option in the final answer for the question is (c) Full-floating axle.