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The drive axle may be a live axle, but modern rear-wheel drive automobiles generally use a split axle with a differential. In this case, one half-axle or half-shaft connects the differential with the left rear wheel, a second half-shaft does the same with the right rear wheel; thus the two half-axles and the differential constitute the rear ...
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the rear wheels only. Until the late 20th century, rear-wheel drive was the most common configuration for cars. Most rear-wheel drive vehicles feature a longitudinally-mounted engine at the front of the car.
To compensate for the uneven (35/65) weight distribution caused by the rear-mounted engine, DeLorean used rear wheels with a diameter slightly greater than the front wheels. Before that was the rear-engined Škoda's from Škoda 1000MB (produced from 1964) to Škoda 130/135/136 (produced until 1990) or the Polski Fiat 126p (produced until ...
Change in camber due to cornering forces can cause loss of rear-wheel adhesion leading to oversteer—a dynamically unstable condition that can cause a vehicle to spin. This is an especially severe problem when a swing axle is used in a rear-engine design, because of the greater side-g forces on the rear wheels from the mass of the engine.
Csonka transaxle from 1908 Drawing of the "Alfa Transaxle" layout, with gearbox mounted in block at the rear differential; also inboard brakes to reduce unsprung mass. A transaxle is a single mechanical device which combines the functions of an automobile's transmission, axle, and differential into one integrated assembly. [1]
A rear-engine, front-wheel-drive layout is one in which the engine is between or behind the rear wheels, and drives the front wheels via a driveshaft, the complete reverse of a conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle layout. This layout has only been used on prototype and concept cars.
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A = number of wheels (twin-mounted tires count as one wheel) B = number of driven wheels / = the fore of the rear axles is steered (pusher axle) * = the rearmost of the rear axles is steered (tag axle) C = number of steered wheels - = separates axle groups and/or different axle functions (6x4-2 is 6x6 with undriven rear axle)