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Axles are an integral part of everyday life in the mechanical age; if you have ever driven or ridden in a car or had goods shipped to you on a tractor-trailer or railroad car, then you have intimate experience with axles. Axles are the supporting shafts that wheels spin around, either directly attached to the shaft (spindles) or resting on bearings or bushings, which use lubrication to ensure smooth torsion. Axles are connected to brake and gear systems; heavy-use axles are manufactured primarily for cargo vehicles ("fifth wheel" or "dead wheel" systems are primarily load-bearing), but can also be attached via U-bolts for utility purposes in cars, trucks and RVs. Manufacturers provide not only axles themselves, but often, also the parts that allow them to be connected their vehicles, including rubber seals, spindle parts, spring hangers, actuators (the system controllers), bearings, electric or air brake discs and drums, and trailer parts.
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