4wd Technic

Front Wheel Drive With Steering

Front View from Underneath This is a simple steerable and driven wheel axle. This model is made from newer parts. I call it the "Technic" version. It is a strong, solid model that can be used to make a heavy, strong vehicle.

Another Front View from Underneath Several different tire types can be used with this axle. 24x43 tires fit the axle as well as 68.8x40 balloon tires.

Top View The steering rack is relatively strong so the wheels are controlled well. They can put up with a lot of abuse and still remain functional.
The rack gear is mounted on sliding axles. These axles move laterally as the rack is driven. The axles are connected to a pair of towballs underneath. Small gray links connect the pair to the towballs on the pivoting structures by the wheels.

Another Front View From Underneath This angle shows the steering mechanism better. Also, you can see the pivoting structure (using many 1x3 half beams).

Bottom View This arrangement is 18 brick units wide. It uses a new Technic differential and 2 u-joints.

Back View from Underneath ADVANTAGES:
strong, simple, uses common parts
DISADVANTAGES:
low ground clearance (especially with smaller tires), no shocks, steering pivot is a far distance from wheel contact point (but if a tire with a deep hub is used, the distance is reduced).

Top View Finally, a view from above!

Side View I suppose shocks could be added and that's something I can work on in the future.
The whole axle could be placed on a pivot so that it is suspended as a "solid" axle. The only problem is getting the drive shaft and steering shaft to work. They must pass through the suspension pivot point.
The new balloon tires work pretty well without suspension as they can absorb some shock. However, if the vehicle is very heavy they cannot be used as it will just flatten the tires.

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Front View from Underneath	This is a simple steerable and driven wheel axle. This model is made from newer parts. I call it the "Technic" version. It is a strong, solid model that can be used to make a heavy, strong vehicle.
Another Front View from Underneath	Several different tire types can be used with this axle. 24x43 tires fit the axle as well as 68.8x40 balloon tires.
Top View	The steering rack is relatively strong so the wheels are controlled well. They can put up with a lot of abuse and still remain functional. The rack gear is mounted on sliding axles. These axles move laterally as the rack is driven. The axles are connected to a pair of towballs underneath. Small gray links connect the pair to the towballs on the pivoting structures by the wheels.
Another Front View From Underneath	This angle shows the steering mechanism better. Also, you can see the pivoting structure (using many 1x3 half beams).
Bottom View	This arrangement is 18 brick units wide. It uses a new Technic differential and 2 u-joints.
Back View from Underneath	ADVANTAGES: strong, simple, uses common parts DISADVANTAGES: low ground clearance (especially with smaller tires), no shocks, steering pivot is a far distance from wheel contact point (but if a tire with a deep hub is used, the distance is reduced).
Top View	Finally, a view from above!
Side View	I suppose shocks could be added and that's something I can work on in the future. The whole axle could be placed on a pivot so that it is suspended as a "solid" axle. The only problem is getting the drive shaft and steering shaft to work. They must pass through the suspension pivot point. The new balloon tires work pretty well without suspension as they can absorb some shock. However, if the vehicle is very heavy they cannot be used as it will just flatten the tires.