On a front engine, front wheel drive vehicle, the outer axle joints are usually what type?

On a front engine, front wheel drive vehicle, the outer axle joints are usually what type?

• A. Ball joints
• B. Constant-Velocity
• C. Universal joints
• D. Cardan joints

Answer: (B)

Constant-velocity joints allow the axle to transmit power through changing steering and suspension angles without changing the axle’s rotational speed. On a front-engine, front-wheel-drive setup, the outer joint must bend as the wheel turns, yet still deliver smooth, consistent torque to the wheel. CV joints are designed to keep the rotational velocity essentially constant across those angles, reducing vibration and wear and tear. Ball joints, by contrast, are part of the suspension linkage and don’t transfer drive torque to the wheel. Universal or Cardan joints can transmit torque through angle changes but inherently cause speed variation and vibration at angle, so they aren’t used for the outer joints on modern FWD axles.

Constant-velocity joints allow the axle to transmit power through changing steering and suspension angles without changing the axle’s rotational speed. On a front-engine, front-wheel-drive setup, the outer joint must bend as the wheel turns, yet still deliver smooth, consistent torque to the wheel. CV joints are designed to keep the rotational velocity essentially constant across those angles, reducing vibration and wear and tear. Ball joints, by contrast, are part of the suspension linkage and don’t transfer drive torque to the wheel. Universal or Cardan joints can transmit torque through angle changes but inherently cause speed variation and vibration at angle, so they aren’t used for the outer joints on modern FWD axles.