In front-wheel drive systems, what component merges the functions of a differential and a transmission?

• A. Transaxle
• B. Driveshaft
• C. Transmission Case
• D. Gearbox

Answer: (A)

In front-wheel-drive setups, the piece that combines the gear train (transmission) and the differential into one unit is the transaxle. This integrated housing houses the transmission gears and the differential that splits power to the front wheels, often with the final-drive gearing included, and it connects directly to the front axles. That’s why it’s the best answer: it performs both changing gear ratios and delivering power to the front wheels in a single assembly.

A driveshaft is used in rear-wheel-drive layouts to transfer power from the transmission to a separate rear differential, so it isn’t the correct component for front-wheel drive. A transmission case is only the shell that houses the transmission gears, not the differential. A gearbox is another term for the transmission portion alone, not the combined unit with the differential.