Question 1

Equal-length shafts are used in some vehicles to help reduce torque steer.

Accepted Answer

Equal-length drive shafts are used in some front-wheel-drive vehicles to help minimize torque steer by ensuring that the torque is distributed evenly to both front wheels, reducing the tendency for the vehicle to pull to one side under acceleration.

Question 2

In FWD applications, the outboard joint is a plunge joint.

Accepted Answer

In FWD (Front-Wheel Drive) applications, the inboard joint is typically a plunge joint, allowing for changes in length as the suspension moves. The outboard joint is usually a fixed joint.

Question 3

A three-quarter floating axle is the most common type in use today.

Accepted Answer

The most common type of axle used today is the full-floating axle, especially in vehicles that are designed for heavy-duty or off-road use, as it offers better weight distribution and reliability.

Question 4

Both CV joints on a half shaft used in an RWD vehicle with independent rear suspension may be of the plunging style.

Accepted Answer

In vehicles with independent rear suspension, both CV joints on a half shaft can indeed be of the plunging style to accommodate the changes in axle length as the suspension moves through its range of motion.

Question 5

With electronic torque vectoring, during cornering, torque is sent to the outer rear wheel to reduce understeer.

Accepted Answer

Electronic torque vectoring adjusts the distribution of power to the wheels, and by sending more torque to the outer rear wheel during cornering, it can help reduce understeer by increasing the yaw moment, thereby improving the vehicle's cornering ability.

Question 6

In a hypoid gearset, the drive pinion meshes with the ring gear at gear centerline.

Accepted Answer

In a hypoid gearset, the drive pinion meshes below the gear centerline of the ring gear, allowing for larger diameter pinions and smoother operation.

Question 7

The final drive gears in the drive axle assembly are sized to provide a gear speed increase and torque reduction.

Accepted Answer

The final drive gears in the drive axle assembly are actually sized to reduce the speed and increase the torque to the wheels, allowing the vehicle to have better acceleration and towing capacity.

Question 8

CV joints are typically used in front-wheel drive vehicles.

Accepted Answer

CV joints, or constant velocity joints, are primarily used in front-wheel drive vehicles to transfer power from the engine to the wheels while accommodating the up and down motion of the suspension and the steering motion.

Question 9

U-joints rotate at a constant velocity and are vibration free.

Accepted Answer

U-joints (universal joints) do not rotate at a constant velocity unless they are operating at a 0-degree angle. When operating at any other angle, they cause speed fluctuations and can induce vibrations.

Question 10

Some FWD half-shaft axles are equipped with vibration damper weights.

Accepted Answer

Some FWD (Front Wheel Drive) half-shaft axles are indeed equipped with vibration damper weights to reduce vibrations and noise that can occur due to the rotation of the axle shafts during vehicle operation.

Question 11

In a differential gearset, the side gears deliver torque to the pinion gears.

Accepted Answer

In a differential gearset, the pinion gears deliver torque to the side gears, allowing the wheels to rotate at different speeds when necessary.

Question 12

Constant velocity joints are used to transfer uniform torque at a constant speed, while operating through a wide range of angles.

Accepted Answer

Constant velocity (CV) joints are designed to transfer torque at a constant speed without significant power loss, even when the joint is operating through various angles. This allows for smooth power transmission in vehicles, especially in front-wheel and all-wheel drive systems, where the drive shafts need to accommodate a wide range of motion due to steering and suspension movement.

Question 13

Plunge-type CV joints allow the length of the axle assembly to change as the wheel travels up and down.

Accepted Answer

Plunge-type Constant Velocity (CV) joints are designed to allow for changes in the length of the axle assembly as the wheel moves up and down during suspension travel, accommodating the varying distances between the wheel hub and the transmission.

Question 14

Outer CV joint operating angles can be as high as 40 degrees.

Accepted Answer

Outer CV (Constant Velocity) joints are designed to accommodate a wide range of motion to handle the steering of a vehicle. They can operate effectively at angles up to and sometimes exceeding 40 degrees, allowing for the necessary flexibility during sharp turns.

Question 15

The double-offset joint is used in applications that require higher operating angles and greater plunge depth.

Accepted Answer

The double-offset joint, a type of constant velocity (CV) joint, is designed to accommodate higher operating angles and allows for a greater plunge depth compared to other joint types, making it suitable for applications with these specific requirements.

Question 16

Brake-based and electromechanical torque vectoring systems are available in some vehicles.

Accepted Answer

Brake-based torque vectoring systems adjust the speed of individual wheels by applying the brakes to one or more wheels, while electromechanical systems use additional hardware (like clutches or electric motors) to distribute torque more precisely between wheels, enhancing handling and stability. Both systems are indeed available in various vehicles to improve driving dynamics.

Question 17

In a two-piece driveshaft, when the yokes are in the same plane, the joints are said to be in phase.

Accepted Answer

When the yokes of a two-piece driveshaft are in the same plane, the joints are indeed said to be in phase, ensuring smooth power transmission and minimizing vibrations.

Question 18

Fixed-style CV joints are typically located nearest the transaxle.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Fixed-style CV joints are typically located nearest...

Question 19

The torsional damper that is sometimes attached to an axle shaft serves to balance the shaft.

Accepted Answer

The torsional damper attached to an axle shaft is designed to reduce torsional vibrations, not to balance the shaft.

Question 20

Both CV joints on a half shaft used in an RWD vehicle with independent rear suspension may be of the fixed style.

Accepted Answer

In a RWD vehicle with independent rear suspension, typically one CV joint is of the fixed style (to handle changes in transmission of power due to suspension movement), while the other is a sliding or plunge type to accommodate changes in shaft length as the suspension moves.

Quiz 40: Drive Axles and Differentials