What Is The Steering Column

The steering column is responsible for energy dissipation and management. It includes the multi-function switch, column lock, column wiring, column shroud, transmission gear selector, gauges and other instruments as well as the electromotor and gear units found in EPAS and SbW systems. The column also helps to adjust the driver preference. 

• The automatic steering column connects the steering wheel to the steering mechanism and transfers the driver's input torque. 
  
  
• The steering columns may have universal joints.
  
  
• These joints allow the wheel to deviate from a straight path to access its best position on the steering gear assembly. 
  
  
• It looks like a huge tubular column that is fixed with the rotatable steering shaft
  connected to the steering wheel to the top of the steering box. 
  
  
• All modern cars have steering columns for safety reasons.
  
  
• These columns collapse during frontal accidents which guard the driver against frontal accidents. The driver is saved from injuries that can be caused by the steering column and shaft. 
  
  
• The deformation members and geometrically stable segments present behind the wheel supports the wheel and the airbag mechanism that inflates to protect the driver during accidents. 
  
  
• The first collapsible steering wheel was invented by General Motors. 
  

How does the steering column work? 

• It is a component that is linked to the shaft located on the steering gear.
   
• It is linked to an intermediate shaft and steering column. 
  
  
• The steering column is in the top part of the system
  
  
• It bolts the steering wheel to the top; the lower portion attaches with the intermediate shaft, fitting compactly. 
  
  
• The upper part holds the tilt steering mechanism and ignition housing. 

What are the signs of steering column replacement?

If the steering wheel stiffens when turning and does not return to its original position. 

The steering wheels clunk and become loose when you turn the wheels. 

A squeaking sound is heard with creaking noise that comes from worn out bushing of the stabilizer bar, upper control arm and steering rack mounting.

Your column tilt might not lock, and the drive feels unsafe on highways. 

If the bearings have corroded.

The steering wheel does not return to the middle position. 

There will be enough warning signs of a failing steering column.

The screws holding the tilt wheel, knuckle, to the shaft’s upper part, the metal plate under the wheel for the steering lock has holes that allow tightening of the screws and bolts. If the bears wear out, you will need a steering wheel replacement. 

Why buy a steering column from Big Mouth Direct?

• You will get a steering wheel column at the lowest price.
  
  
• Each column is fully tested by the technical team of Big Mouth Direct and then shipped to you at your preferred address. 
  
  
• You will get a high-quality steering column that fits your vehicle, 
  
  
• Big Mouth Direct is linked to 4000 junkyards and salvage yards, across the country. That helps them to find the exact part for you in its best condition. Big Mouth Direct is a reliable online auto parts store that is in the business since1975. 
  

Visit Big Mouth Direct https://bigmouthdirect.com/ or call (844) 205-7332 for details.

All You Need To Know About Used Axles

Axles are essential for vehicles.

• They are the central shaft that connects with the wheels.  
• Controlling the force of the wheels, axles are essential for vehicles to function.  

How many axles does your car have? 

• Your vehicle type determines the number of axles that the car has. 
• Most cars have two axles that turn the wheel.
• Larger cars that have more wheels have more axles. 
• Count the number of tires to know the number of axles your car has.
• Most cars have two front and two rear tires that add to the number of axles.  

What determined the axle quality in your vehicle?

• The technical requirement and the force generated by your vehicle is the chief factor. 
• Many vehicles follow a standard format and have prebuilt axles. 
• Others have axles that are customized with the vehicle specifications. 
• These customized axles offer better control on the wheels according to the driving habit. 
• They are better adjusted with the speed and torque of the wheel.  

Types of axles

Rear axle

• The rear axle supplies power to the drive wheel.
• Rear axles come in two halves; half-wave connected to the differential. 
• Rotating with the wheel, rear axles are under a lot of tension.  

Front Axle

• This axle is located in the front of the vehicle.
• Assisting steering and meeting the road bumps adequately especially on uneven roads. 
• Front axles come in four major parts, beam, swivel pin, tie rod and stub axle. 
• The front axle should be strong and made of steel or nickel steel.  

Stub Axle
Attached to the front of the vehicle with kingpins, this axle is connected to the front axle.  

Types of Rear Axle
The mounting methods of rear axles differ and not all rear axles are the same. 

Semi floating axles

• Connects the wheel to the flange on the outside of the axle shaft and holds it securely together.
• The axle shaft is supported by bearings located in the axle casing. 
• With two bearing the semi-floating axle should be large enough to produce the same torque. 
• Found mostly in SUVs and medium-sized trucks, such as pickups and half-ton low power trucks.  

Full-floating rear axle

It has two bearings that float to maintain its position.

It transmits the drive torque.

These axles are well suited for large vehicles like heavy trucks, large towing and medium-sized trucks. 

Four-wheel drives also use fully floating axles.  

Three quarter floating axles

• These are more reliable.
• Maintain wheel alignment.
• Handle side thrust and driving torque.  

Some vehicles have two main types of axles

Dead front axles 

• These are fixed axles that do not rotate with the wheels. 
• They are inside a housing that covers them from road dirt and water.

Live front axles

They derive power from the gearbox and transmit it to the front wheel.  

Stub Axles

Elliot: Using kingpins, yoke, and a cotter this is connected to the front axle. 

Reverse Elliot:  This Elliot is opposite to the standard Elliot stub axle. 

Lemoine: A L shaped spindle, in place of a yoke type hinge. 

Reserve Lemoine: The layout is opposite to the layout of a standard Lemoine stub axle.  

When is an axle replacement needed?

When the vehicle is in gear you can hear loud clunking sounds.

The car vibrates when it moves.

The forward and backward movement is stopped.  

What should you look for when buying a used axle?

• Look for the customized axle ratio in your vehicle.
• If the vehicle has an axle ratio of 3.55:1, it indicates that the drive shaft will turn 3.55 times with every wheel rotation. 
• The standard drive ratio meets the demands of most vehicles. Vehicles that carry heavy weight need a higher ratio. 
• Vehicles with a custom axle ratio support better fuel economy. 
• You cannot compare the axle ratio of different auto brands. The tire sizes are related to the performance of the system gear and the result of the ratio. 
• Lower axle ratios or tall gears have better mileage than higher axle ratios or short gears. 

Why choose Big Mouth Direct to buy used Front, stub and rear axle?

• The axle price in Big Mouth Direct is less than half of OEM parts.
• The axles are fully tested by highly qualified technicians and then shipped to your address.
• The axels are sold with a warranty.

Visit Big Mouth Direct online at https://bigmouthdirect.com/  to know more about their warranty system or call (844) 205-7332 to speak to their customer representative.