Front-engine transversely mounted .2F Front-wheel drive Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout

the 1970s giugiaro styled hatchback coupe vw scirocco based on contemporary giugiaro golf in mk1 , mk2 forms successful vw coupe 800,000 made.



the bonnet on original mini open, showing transversely mounted engine drives front wheels.

the first popular transverse engined fwd cars dkw front made 1931, had twin cylinder two-stroke engine. saab copied design on first car, 1949 saab 92.

issigonis s mini of 1959 , related cars such maxi, austin 1100/1300 , allegro had four-cylinder inline water-cooled engine transversely mounted. transmission located in sump below crankshaft, power transmitted transfer gears. other models used transmission-in-sump layout included datsun 100a (cherry) , various applications of psa-renault x-type engine such peugeot 104 , renault 14. 1955 suzuki suzulight introduced front engine transversely installed two-stroke twin-cylinder engine (using dkw technology) in city car/kei car application, based on german lloyd lp400.

dante giacosa s autobianchi primula of 1964, fiat 128 , fiat 127, put transmission on 1 side of transversely mounted engine, , doubled drivetrain put differential behind transmission, offset 1 side. hence driveshafts wheels longer on 1 side other. located weight bit in front of wheels. system dominates worldwide @ present.

front-wheel-drive vehicles tend suffer torque steer under heavy acceleration. caused differing drive shaft lengths in turn results in different incident angles @ joints of driveshaft. farther these joints articulate, less effective @ delivering torque wheels.

front-wheel drive design characteristics




















front-wheel drive shafts

in front wheel drive vehicles, drive shafts transfer drive directly differential front wheels. short inner stub shaft splined differential side gear , outer stub shaft splined front wheel hub. each stub shaft has yoke, or housing, accommodate universal joint, @ each end of connecting intermediate shaft.

universal joints let shaft keep rotating while allowing changes due suspension movement, such shaft length , horizontal angle, , shaft angle steering turns. constant-velocity universal joints used transfer power smoothly between components. inner universal can plunge or tripod type joint. tripod splined intermediate shaft , held circlip. ball, supported on needle roller bearings, fitted each post of tripod, , these slide in trunion inside yoke. caters changes in shaft length , horizontal angle. drive transferred through trunion , balls rotate shaft.

the outer universal joint allows greater angular changes not changes in shaft length. ball , cage type inner race splined intermediate shaft. outer race formed in yoke. cage retains balls in location in grooves in both races. balls transfer drive shaft hub , allow changes in horizontal angle , wide steering angle achieved. flexible rubber boot fitted each joint retains grease , keeps out dirt , moisture.

where differential not located in center line of vehicle, intermediate shaft can fitted maintain equal length drive shafts on each side. keeps drive shaft angles equal on both sides , helps prevent steering irregularities , vibration. outer end of intermediate shaft supported bearing secured transaxle case , universal joint assists alignment.

in cases longer drive shaft used on 1 side. rubber dynamic damper may fitted absorb vibrations.