Subaru Drive Shafts
We all love to drive a car but rarely do we pay attention to the effort that goes into the manufacture of a great car. The automobile industry is a highly competitive industry and the big car manufacturers such as GM, Ford, and Chrysler have all found the recent economic downturn detrimental to their growth. However, Subaru has withstood the recent events in the auto industry with considerable ease. Today, the brand name of Subaru is synonymous with quality and it has set new standards in the auto industry.
When it comes to front wheel drive technologies it has set the standard since it invented it almost forty years ago in Japan. Today, the company has used the same technology for evolving the all wheel drive systems. This revolutionary system is the result of excellence in automotive engineering and particularly the driveshaft. Have you ever come across a driver who has given much thought to the axle of his car? The axle is pivotal in the running of a car and yet it rarely merits any attention.
The axle shaft has always been the focus of innovation among automobile engineers. This is because the axle shaft transmits power from the gears and the engine to the wheels. If this is not done efficiently, then it could lead to poor performance. The axle shaft is also referred to as the drive shaft. If the shaft performs poorly then the car could be difficult to maneuver and steer.
The front wheel axle shaft system is now used extensively by most automobile manufacturers but their front wheel axle shaft is unique. This driveshaft has eight ball bearings at the tire end. This gives it extra reliability and makes the joint and the shaft more durable. Other components of the shaft make it special. This is explained by Atsuyoshi Nishizawa who is an engineer at Subaru. Their driveshafts are actually two half shafts with one on each side of the differential transmitting power to each front wheel separately. The half shaft is actually just one metal shaft with two joints.
The unique aspect of the driveshaft in the Subaru is that these shafts are of equal length. This is not always the case in most other cars. In most cars, the differential is often not centered and hence the driveshafts are of unequal length. In the Subaru, the differential is centered and this gives it a great advantage. This is the advantage of a horizontally opposed engine. It is the symmetrical design and layout of the engine that makes it stand out. Many problems relating to acceleration and one side tracking and steering are automatically eliminated.
There are two others features that make their driveshafts unique. The constant velocity joint and the shudder less free ring tripod joint make the ride smooth and vibration free. These joints prevent the vibrations from the driveshaft and the engine from reaching the body of the car. If the car is pulled to one side while steering, the tripod joint makes allowance for the movement by sliding and rolling. This gives the Subaru a perfect score while steering. Another unique feature is that the joints are covered with grease to lubricate them. These joints are then covered with specially made boots. These boots are made from plastic and do not crack even when exposed to severe heat.
The joint and the shaft are vital components of a car and all efforts are made to make them durable and dependable. The name Subaru conjures up visions of strength and durability.
