Audi A4

since 1994 release

Manual of the car

In order that you at the movement and control of car did not feel influence of power shafts on steering, hinges of power shafts have to transfer force in all provisions of shock-absorbers and a wheel absolutely evenly. The problem of hinges which on one settle down on each end of power shafts consists in it. In the Audi A4 series we deal with two various types of hinges:

First, in Audi A4 there are so-called gomokinetichesky hinges (synchronized hinges). Their function is based on back and forth motion of six balls on specially ground guides at a hinge bend. Thus, at any possible tilt angle of a power shaft in the car absolutely uniform transfer of force is carried out. Gomokinetichesky hinges are installed in all cars with the mechanical transmission and with the four-cylinder engine, and also in all quattro cars with the mechanical transmission (ahead and behind). Besides, they are established as external hinges in cars with the automatic transmission and in cars with six-cylinder engines.

The so-called tripod is installed as the internal hinge, i.e. from the transmission, on cars with the automatic transmission (in front and all-wheel drive, but only ahead) and in cars with six-cylinder engines (with the forward drive). Instead of six balls this hinge has three rollers on needle roller bearings. Advantage of this design: a low gear of fluctuations from the drive to a body.