Front Wheel Drive

Many cars use a front drive axle. Most front-wheel drive axles are constructed the same way as rear-wheel drive axles, with one exception. A front-wheel axle assembly must provide a way to turn the wheels as well as drive them. The clutch or torque converter sends the power on to the transmission input shaft. Next, the power is sent on to the differential by gears or chains (belts). It goes through the differential gears through the axle and CV Joints and finally to the front wheels. Front wheel drive was not new in the eighties when it became popular. Front wheel drive was introduced by the Pennington Car Company in 1900. Before that, steamers and electric cars had used it for years.