What extends from the transmission to the differential (in rear wheel drive) and to transaxle (in front wheel drive)?

• A. Axle Shaft
• B. Driveshaft
• C. Prop Shaft
• D. Transmission Shaft

Answer: (B)

The driveshaft is the link that carries engine torque from the transmission to the drivetrain’s final drive. In a rear-wheel-drive car, it runs from the transmission output back to the differential at the rear axle. In front-wheel-drive cars, where the transaxle houses the differential, the driveshaft still serves as the connection from the transmission to that front-end unit. It’s built to handle torque and flex with suspension movement via universal joints.

Axle shaft refers to the shaft that actually drives the wheels from the differential, not the connection between the transmission and the final drive. Transmission shaft isn’t a standard term for this path, and while prop shaft is another name for the driveshaft, the term most commonly used in this context is driveshaft.