Axle boot
An axle sleeve (also known as a drive shaft sleeve or cardan shaft sleeve ) is a special bellows made of rubber or plastic that flexibly covers the constant velocity joints of a drive shaft , for example in automobiles . The mechanical solution can be found in older mostly off-road and thus all-wheel-drive vehicles, the joint is shaped like a ball and the drive shaft (completely enclosed in a tube) connects to it with the appropriate counterpart (hollow shape of one of the ball). The movement is possible because the two spherical shapes can be moved against each other.
Axle boots are wearing parts. Mostly they tear due to the load during driving, which gradually throws out the grease that is in the axle sleeve to lubricate the joints. Marten damage is another cause. The result is reduced lubrication of the joint and the ingress of dirt, sand and moisture. The resulting damage can range from rusting to destruction of the joint. Defective axle boots become a safety risk in vehicles, as the leaked grease is thrown onto the brake disc while driving and / or the drive shaft can block or break, which is usually announced in advance by warning signs, such as unusual operating noises from the constant velocity joints , which are below the axle boot. Some of the lubricants used contain solid lubricants such as graphite .
Due to better mechanical properties, the axle boots of the modern age are often made of plastic. These plastic sleeves have a higher temperature resistance, a higher dielectric strength and better abrasion behavior than the previous axle sleeves made of rubber. Recyclable plastics (TEEE) are used as material.
The axle boots mounted on the wheel side are subject to higher loads than those mounted on the transmission side, especially with front-wheel drive . The temperature of the brake discs, the greater flexion angle and thus the possibility of the folds touching one another, which leads to friction, are higher. For this reason, the probability of a defect is significantly higher here.
The price of an axle boot for cars in the repair kit is usually 10 to 20 euros, but the costs for installation can be up to 150 euros per side, since the drive shaft and, in some vehicles, almost the entire front wheel suspension must be dismantled. In other vehicles, it is sufficient to loosen the ball joint to dismantle the drive shaft . Replacing an axle sleeve in a rear-wheel drive vehicle can be less complex and therefore cheaper.
literature
- Max Bohner, Richard Fischer, Rolf Gscheidle: Expertise in automotive technology. 27th, revised edition. Europa-Lehrmittel, Haan-Gruiten 2002, ISBN 3-8085-2067-1 .
- Hans Jörg Leyhausen: The master craftsman's examination in the automotive trade. Part 1: General principles, combustion engines, mixture formation, power transmission, chassis. 12th, revised edition. Vogel, Würzburg 1991, ISBN 3-8023-0857-3 .