Automotive vocabulary · Transmission and Drivetrain
Driveshaft
Meaning in automotive, with examples
/ˈdraɪvʃæft/nounCommon term
In automotive, driveshaft means: A rotating shaft that carries torque from the gearbox towards the wheels. In rear-drive cars it is the long shaft to the rear axle; in front-drive cars short driveshafts run to each front wheel.
In Turkish: kardan mili, aks mili, tahrik mili
How it is used
Also written drive shaft. Technicians check driveshafts for vibration, worn universal joints and torn CV joint boots; a clicking noise when turning often means a worn CV joint on the driveshaft.
Example sentences
The clicking on full lock comes from the left driveshaft's outer CV joint.
A bent driveshaft causes vibration that gets worse with speed.
Common collocations
CV joint
driveshaft boot
propeller shaft
replace the driveshaft
Related terms
differentialA gear set on a driven axle that lets the left and right wheels turn at different speeds when the car goes around a corner, while still sending power to both.
axleA shaft or beam on which a pair of wheels is mounted. A drive axle also transmits power to the wheels; a non-driven axle only carries the weight.
transmissionThe unit that changes the gear ratio between the engine and the wheels so the car can pull away, accelerate and cruise efficiently. It can be manual or automatic.
all-wheel driveA drive system that can send engine or motor power to all four wheels, usually controlled automatically to improve grip on wet, icy or loose roads.
