The Need for Standardization in Backaxle Design.
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THERE are few parts of a motor vehicle which IL vary in different designs to such a marked degree as the back axle, and yet one would think that the experience gained with various types during the course of many years would justify some degree of co-ordination. It is not by any means that they are all so perfect; in fact, in some eases, rather the opposite, for back-axle trouble is one of the most frequent causes of breakdown, and, unfortunately, one which can seldom satisfactorily be dealt with in an ordinary running repair, as it usually necessitates either a tow home or, when it is impossible to run the vehicle on its own wheels, the employment of a breakdown lorry. A common cause of failure is a broken axle shaft, and it would appear advisable that all such shafts should be replaceable without completely stripping the axle, as this would greatly facilitate replacement by the roadside. We refer to this matter in greater detail in the article which occupies our centre pages, and which treats with the various designs and their relative merits. Following the American procedure, many of our manufacturers are adopting axles, or, at least, astle casings, made by specialists, and this, particularly in eases where the number of vehicles produced is not great, may be a wise policy, for some of the best types can only economically be ,produced in large quantities, whilst the policy, also assists in the further development of at least some measure of standardization.