The solid, or beam, axle is used in the rear suspension of many front-engined, rear-wheel drive cars, and light commercial vehicles, and as the front suspension on many heavy commercial vehicles.
A dead axle only supports the vehicle and doesn't transmit any drive. With a live axle, the drive is transmitted through the final drive unit and axles to the wheels.
Independent suspension helps keep unsprung mass low. Also, if a wheel hits an irregularity, it won't upset the opposite wheel on the same axle. It allows wheel camber to be adjusted, or designed into the suspension geometry.
For independent suspension on the rear of a vehicle, many front-wheel drive cars use a McPherson strut at the rear. On rear-wheel drive vehicles, the suspension has to allow for the external drive shafts.
On rear-wheel drive vehicles with independent suspension, the final drive unit is fixed to the vehicle frame. Drive is transmitted to each wheel by external drive shafts.
