Rear axle lock in a car - what is it for?
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Rear axle lock used in larger vehicles, making off-road driving more efficient. This mechanism in SUVs and SUVs should be handled with care as incorrect driving can damage the vehicle. If you are driving in adverse and difficult conditions, bridge blockade will make it easier to climb a steep hill or get out of muddy terrain. What exactly is this mechanism?
What is a bridge blockade?
Rear axle lock is responsible for the differentiation of the speed of rotation of the wheels of the rear axle. Thanks to him, the wheels can move at the same speed, and the torque is transmitted to the ground. This way it hits the wheel with the best grip. This mechanism is used in vehicles where the possibility of transmitting torque to the ground is not too high, but higher than with an open differential.
Types of travel in cars - a bridge with a blockade
The blockade of bridges is divided into:
- those that the driver can drive himself;
- automatic locks;
- locks that block the wheel by XNUMX percent or to a limited extent.
The disadvantage of differentials is that they do not work off-road, but are adapted to more slippery ground. In some cars, a rear axle lock is needed, which on the one hand will block the wheel by XNUMX%, and on the other hand it will improve the unscrewing mechanism.
What happens during an accident?
Such a differential is necessary in dangerous situations on the road, when one of the wheels of the car hangs in the air during an accident. In this situation, the symmetrical mechanism distributes the torque equally between both sides. Too few newton meters reach the wheel on the surface from the wheel hanging in the air, because their number is the same. Large differences in traction are most common in terrain where an open differential cannot handle it. The solution is to connect the left wheel to the right one.
100% rear axle lock
In this When the axles are locked, all the torque is transferred to the axle and then to the wheels. The locking axle makes the wheels rigidly connected to each other, and all the torque will go to the wheels with the most grip. that is a circle, which has been torn off the ground, has a chance to go further. Without this lock, the wheel will slip. Before climbing a hill or other obstacle, engage the manual override. On very steep descents, XNUMX% is used along with the central locking mechanism.
Locked Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
type bridge locks with limited slip. This means that slippage has not been completely eliminated. Such a mechanism has different internal friction. Thanks to him, you can basically improve the patency of the car, especially in winter. LSD assembly is carried out mainly on Japanese and American cars. What is the disadvantage of this system? When one wheel loses traction, you lose control.
Where are bridge locks most commonly used?
Bridge blockade most commonly used in large vehicles due to their less ability to transmit torque to the ground. In order for the machine not to buxula and to be able to cope with difficult obstacles, it must be turned on rear axle lock. Sometimes you don't need to do it manually at all because some cars have automatic locks.
Various car locks
Usually bridge locks used in patrols and controlled pneumatically. Toyota factory models featured the popular friction lock, i.e. incomplete. This is a mechanism that does not work in the field, but on a more slippery surface. On off-road vehicles, locks work best. They are installed in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon model and in the Mercedes G, which has standard locks front and rear.
The best rear diff lock on SUVs
Rear differential lock, what will work best when driving off-road is a mechanism that locks the wheels at XNUMX%. The diffuser is used to reduce wheel speed. Thanks to this, you will still retain full control of the vehicle, which is not possible with some of the solutions we have already described.
Without locking the rear axle, driving in difficult conditions would be very difficult. The exceptions are cars that have more power and their traction is at a high level. If you have a bridge lock on a larger vehicle, remember that care must be taken when using it so as not to damage the vehicle. Use this feature when you really need it while driving.
