AUTOMOTIVE CHASSIS

Wheels A wheel is a circular block of a hard and durable material at whose center has been bored a circular hole through which is placed an axle bearing about which the wheel rotates when a moment is applied by gravity or torque to the wheel about its axis.  A tire is the rubber part of a wheel that grips the road. The wheel, along with the tyre has to take the vehicle load, provide cushioning effect and cope with the steering control. Requirements of Wheels: It should be balanced both statically as well as dynamically. It should be lightest as possible to reduce the unsprung weight. It should be possible to remove and mount the wheel easily. Its material should not deteriorate with weathering and age. Types of Wheels: Pressed steel wheel Wire wheel Alloy wheel 1.Pressed steel wheel: This wheel is used over 90 % of world manufacturers worldwide because of its simplicity, robust construction, low cost manufacture, mostly used in heavy vehicles. This t

REAR AXLE Construction: It is mostly live axle in commercial vehicles and dead axle in cars. Two half-shafts are used to transmit the power from differential. FORCES ON REAR AXLE 1. Shear stress due to weight of the body 2. Driving Thrust During torque transmission the thrust has to be transmitted to body through frame by radius rod.  3. Torque reaction Torque reaction will be there during torque transmission and braking. This will oppose the propeller shaft rotation causing torsional and bending stress. 4. Side Thrust Side thrust or pull due to side load on the wheel and due to cross winds during cornering. Types of Rear axles Depending upon the method of supporting the rear axles and mounting the rear wheels 1.Semi or non-floating axle 2.Full-floating axle 3.3/4 Floating axle  1.Semi floating axle Half-shaft inner end is splined into the differential and other end is supported by bearing inside casing.