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Looking At The Basics Of 4WD
Do you wonder how a four wheel drive truck or SUV works? It is also called 4WD. You may be thinking about buying one of these traction machines. If you already own one, you know how handy they can be. Knowing their basic function may help you better operate them. It may also help with repairs or maintenance.
Just the rear wheels
Your four wheel drive vehicle has similar components to a rear wheel drive car. There are not too many of them, left today. They have been replaced by the more efficient front wheel drive vehicles. However, the pickup truck and the SUV are still made in this fashion. The two wheel drive vehicle starts with a motor. This motor is not transverse or sideways like most cars, today. The front of the motor is in the front of the car.
The motor sits in front of the transmission. The transmission and motor connect via the clutch disk against the flywheel. This is similar to a brake pad against a rotor. This is how a manual transmission works. Automatic transmissions employ a similar method.
The transmission transmits power to the drive line from the motor. The drive line attaches to the rear end. The differential leads to the rear wheels.
Power is transferred to the wheels from the drive line to the differential. Imagine a set of gears turning at the end of the drive line. Now imagine a larger set of gears turning in the differential. When they mesh together, the power is transferred. This is an oversimplification. However, it gives you an idea of what goes on.
Four wheel drive
A four wheel drive truck is very similar to a rear drive. The motor and rear drive system act in the same way. The difference is the transfer case. It sets adjacent to the transmission. It gets it name, because it transfers power from the transmission to the front drive line. There is a differential and drive line for the front wheels also. This is a good way to spot a 4WD. Look for a front differential.
Between the transmission and transfer case is a drive chain. This is what turns the front drive line. When everything is engaged, the front and back wheels all have power. You get superior traction and performance in off-road conditions. They can do things that normal trucks, cannot.
Front hubs may be able to lock in or out. Older trucks have this option. You manually lock and unlock the hubs. This disconnects the front drive system. This gives you better gas mileage. Newer vehicles have hubs that automatically engage and disengage.
Conclusion
Rear drive only has power to the back wheels. It gets there from the motor to the transmission. The transmission connects to the drive shaft. The drive shaft connects to the rear end differential. The differential attaches to the wheels.
Four wheel drive utility vehicles and trucks have a similar rear drive system. They also have a transfer case that sends power to a front drive line. The transfer case is along side of the transmission. The front drive line attaches to the its differential and wheels. Four wheel drive is also written as 4WD.
Just the rear wheels
Your four wheel drive vehicle has similar components to a rear wheel drive car. There are not too many of them, left today. They have been replaced by the more efficient front wheel drive vehicles. However, the pickup truck and the SUV are still made in this fashion. The two wheel drive vehicle starts with a motor. This motor is not transverse or sideways like most cars, today. The front of the motor is in the front of the car.
The motor sits in front of the transmission. The transmission and motor connect via the clutch disk against the flywheel. This is similar to a brake pad against a rotor. This is how a manual transmission works. Automatic transmissions employ a similar method.
The transmission transmits power to the drive line from the motor. The drive line attaches to the rear end. The differential leads to the rear wheels.
Power is transferred to the wheels from the drive line to the differential. Imagine a set of gears turning at the end of the drive line. Now imagine a larger set of gears turning in the differential. When they mesh together, the power is transferred. This is an oversimplification. However, it gives you an idea of what goes on.
Four wheel drive
A four wheel drive truck is very similar to a rear drive. The motor and rear drive system act in the same way. The difference is the transfer case. It sets adjacent to the transmission. It gets it name, because it transfers power from the transmission to the front drive line. There is a differential and drive line for the front wheels also. This is a good way to spot a 4WD. Look for a front differential.
Between the transmission and transfer case is a drive chain. This is what turns the front drive line. When everything is engaged, the front and back wheels all have power. You get superior traction and performance in off-road conditions. They can do things that normal trucks, cannot.
Front hubs may be able to lock in or out. Older trucks have this option. You manually lock and unlock the hubs. This disconnects the front drive system. This gives you better gas mileage. Newer vehicles have hubs that automatically engage and disengage.
Conclusion
Rear drive only has power to the back wheels. It gets there from the motor to the transmission. The transmission connects to the drive shaft. The drive shaft connects to the rear end differential. The differential attaches to the wheels.
Four wheel drive utility vehicles and trucks have a similar rear drive system. They also have a transfer case that sends power to a front drive line. The transfer case is along side of the transmission. The front drive line attaches to the its differential and wheels. Four wheel drive is also written as 4WD.
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In addition to the transmission, transfer case, and differentials, there are more intricate parts that make up the 4WD system such as the ring and pinion and manual locking hubs.