Identification and reduction of noise from axles in a passenger vehicle

With reduction in engine noise, the axle has become an important noise source in a sport utility vehicle (SUV). This paper presents experimental and analytic analyses for reducing the whine at passenger locations from noise generated by the axle system of a SUV. To identify the transfer path of the interior noise caused by the axle system, a vibration path analysis, modal analysis and operational deflection shape analysis are systematically employed. To reduce the whine noise generated by the axle system, structural modifications for the axle system are performed. Throughout this modification the reduction of the whine noise is estimated.