Hotchkiss drive

The Hotchkiss drive is the simplest of the drive systems and is the most widely used. The arrangement of the parts can be seen in the picture.

The suspension spring are bolted rigidly to the rear axle casing. The front ends of the springs are pivoted on pins. These pins are carried in brackets bolted to the vehicle frame. The rear ends of the springs are connected to the frame by swinging links or shackles. This arrangement permits the deflection of the spring when the vehicle is accelerated or braked. The propeller shaft is provided with two universal joints one at each end and a sliding joint at one end. This arrangement permits the rear axle assembly to move up and down due to projections and depression on the road surface.

Engine power is always transmitted from the gear box to the final drive in the differential, through the propeller shaft. From the differential the driving torque is transmitted to the road wheels through the axle shafts. In this transmission system, the suspension springs act as torque and thrust members.