Posted by Bill on June 19, 01 at 11:15:05:
In Reply to: What is a full/semi floating rear posted by KSHEEHAN on June 19, 01 at 09:05:53:
: Now that you brought it up. I see you guys mention full and semi floating rear. What is meant by that?
: Kevin S.
Well when I was in the pool the other day and watching the aqua aerobics class.....Just kidding.
Any way. a full floating axle is one where the axle is floating inside the axle housing. It fits in splines in the side gears of the differential and fits in splines in the spindle on the outer part of the axle where the wheel bolts on. Its sole purpose is to transfer the torque from the differential to the hub that the wheel is bolted to. It does not support the weight of the vehicle in anyway and the wheel is not bolted to the axle only to the hub. Think of the staight front axle on 91 and older burbs. You can actually remove the axle, bolt the spindle bearings and hub back on and drive the vehicle with no problem because that front axle is full floating-only transfers the torque to the wheel does not support any weight. Supporting weight is the axle housings job alone on full floaters.
Semi-floating axle transfers the torque of the differential to the wheel and also supports the weight of the vehicle on the axle shaft inside the axle housing. The wheel is actually bolted to the axle shaft directly. Should the axle shaft break on semi floating axle then the axle will come out of the housing and the wheel will fall off.
On full floaters the axle can break and you would not lose your wheel because its attatched with a hub/spindle assembly. There are kits available to put lockout hubs on full floater rear axles allowing you to be able to flat tow without having to unbolt the driveline.
Any other comments from others are welcome
Bill Wilkenloh
1991 1500 4x4 SUB