Drive axle shafts are also called ________.

Drive axle shafts are commonly referred to as half shafts because they serve as the connecting components between the vehicle's drive axle and the wheels. These shafts are designed to transfer power from the differential to the wheels, allowing the vehicle to move. The term "half shaft" aptly describes their function as each half shaft connects the differential to a wheel on one side of the vehicle, making up half of the total drive axle assembly.

Understanding the role and nomenclature of vehicle components is crucial in automotive maintenance and repair. Half shafts are particularly important in vehicles with independent rear suspension systems, where each wheel can move independently. This design improves handling and ride comfort but requires the use of half shafts to effectively deliver torque to the wheels.

The other terms listed do not accurately describe drive axle shafts in the same context. Drive shafts generally refer to the long shafts connecting the transmission to the differential and are involved in how power is transmitted through the vehicle’s drivetrain system. Axle tubes are the outer casings that house the differential and axle, while rear shafts could refer to various components in different contexts but do not specifically denote half shafts. Thus, "half shafts" is the most appropriate term among the options provided.