Axle facts for kids

Train wheels are affixed to a straight axle, such that both wheels rotate in unison.

An axle is a strong rod or shaft that helps things spin. It's usually found in the middle of a wheel or a gear. Think of it as the core around which something turns.

Sometimes, the axle stays still, and the wheel spins around it. This happens with the help of a special part called a bearing or a bushing. These parts make sure the wheel can turn smoothly.

Other times, the wheel is tightly attached to the axle. In this case, the whole axle spins along with the wheel. Bearings are then used where the axle connects to the rest of the machine. On bicycles, this type of spinning axle is often called a spindle.

Vehicle Axles

This dump truck has an airlift pusher axle, shown in the raised position, a so-called dead axle, present to maintain equal power supply.

Axles are super important parts of any wheeled vehicle. They do a big job by holding the wheels in the right place. Axles make sure the wheels stay lined up with each other and with the vehicle's body.

Since the wheels are usually the only part of a vehicle touching the ground, axles have to be very strong. They must carry the entire weight of the vehicle. This includes the weight of the car itself and any cargo or passengers inside it.

Related pages

• Wheel
• Machine

Images for kids

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  Railroad car wheels are affixed to a straight axle, allowing both wheels to rotate at the same time. This is called a wheelset.

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  0 Series Shinkansen wheel used on Japanese high-speed bullet trains

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  Splines on a front drive axle.

See also

In Spanish: Eje (mecánica) para niños