Why do some awd cars have cv shafts in the back rather then solid axle?

Question

I think its because there based on fwd setups like the awd 3000gt and ecplise

Answer 1

yes

Answer 2

So that they can have 4-wheel independent suspension. And it's not just for AWD cars. Some front engined RWD cars have it too. Also, some older 4-wheel independent suspension cars like Corvettes, used to use actual old fashioned driveshafts to each rear wheel with U-joints.

The only car I can think of offhand, where it would have anything to do with it being based on a FWD setup would be the Fiero, which used the FWD from the X-body turned around, for the rear engine RWD configuration of that car.

Answer 3

They have CV Shafts in the rear because you need those for independently sprung suspension systems.  

Solid axles suspension systems (live-axle setups like on pickup trucks) are not independent.  They use one big, excrutiatingly heavy and poorly located solid iron axle assembly instead, typically located and sprung by a pair of leaf springs - 19th century horse and buggy technology.  

Answer 4

if the vehicle has independent suspension in the rear it will have half shafts with cv joints. sone rwd cars have this also bmw for one

Answer 5

They have independent suspension.