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Approach Angle
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Starting from level ground, this is the degree of slope a vehicle can approach without scraping or hitting the front undercarriage. It's a great indication of the ability to navigate severe off-road... Read More
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Articulation
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A Trail Rated® suspension is limber like a gymnast. How exactly? Flexibility is the key to good articulation. The more a wheel can travel, or flex, the better it can maintain contact with terra firma... Read More
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Axle
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A rigid piece of metal that connects the front and/or rear wheels together. The suspension components attach to the axle and to the vehicle's body frame.
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Axle Articulation
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The ability of one axle to move relative to the chassis. It is the measure of the ease with which tires stay in contact with the ground (and retain traction) on very uneven terrain.
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Axle Differential
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An axle differential is a gear system located in the center housing of an axle assembly designed to allow the wheels to rotate at different speeds during cornering.
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Brake Traction Control System
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Transfers torque from one wheel to another on the same axle when wheel slip conditions are detected.
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Breakover Angle
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The degree of slope that defines the largest ramp or hill that a vehicle can travel over without scraping against the frame or underbody components.
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Camber
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Camber angle is the angle made by the wheel of an automobile; specifically, it is the angle between the vertical axis of the wheel and the vertical axis of the vehicle when viewed from the front or... Read More
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Cardan
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A universal joint, U joint, Cardan joint, Hardy-Spicer joint, or Hooke's joint is a joint in a rigid rod that allows the rod to 'bend' in any direction, and is commonly used in shafts that transmit... Read More
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Caster
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Caster angle is the angular displacement from the vertical axis of the suspension of a steered wheel, measured in the longitudinal direction. It is the angle between the pivot line (in a car - an... Read More
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Center Differential Geared
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A gear system located inside the transfer case of full-time 4WD vehicles. It is used to distribute drive torque to the front and rear driveshafts and allows the front and rear wheels to rotate at... Read More
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Clutch Plates
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A series of alternating steel plates within the transfer case of many on-demand or automatic 4WD systems. One set of plates is splined to the clutch assembly hub of the rear driveshaft; the other set... Read More
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Coil Springs
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A coil of flexible metal that can be compressed or stretched along its centerline axis without permanent deformation. Coil springs support the weight of the vehicle while allowing the wheels to... Read More
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Continuously Variable Transaxle
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A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a type of automatic transmission that can change the "gear ratio" (gears are not generally involved) to any arbitrary setting within the... Read More
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Crank position sensor
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A crank sensor is a component used in an internal combustion engine to monitor the position or rotational speed of the crankshaft. This information is used by engine management systems to control... Read More
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Crawl Ratio
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Essential for serious off-road treks involving steep hill climbs and descents, this is the final drive ratio of a vehicle in low-range. It allows Jeep vehicles to “creep” along (without depressing... Read More
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Crow Hop
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Vehicle shudder and tire scuffing due to a binding condition in the driveline. Usually caused by operating in basic 4WD or part-time 4WD modes on dry pavement.
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Departure Angle
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Similar to the approach angle, the departure angle indicates a vehicle's ability to drive off a ramp or obstacle without damaging the rear of the vehicle.
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Differential
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A differential is a device, usually consisting of gears, that allows each of the driving wheels to rotate at different speeds, while supplying equal torque to each of them. In automotive... Read More
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Driveshaft
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Shaft connecting the transmission output shaft to the differential drive pinion shaft. Four-wheel-drive vehicles add a second driveshaft from the transfer case to the front differential.
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