Abstract: A drive assembly for the wheel of a motor vehicle having an independent wheel suspension wherein the wheel is connected to a drive source by means of a pair of universal joints connected between the drive source and the wheel transmitting torque therebetween with at least one of the universal joints being of the axially displaceable type. A damping mechanism or shock absorber device is interposed together with the universal joints between the wheel and the drive means and the shock absorber device may comprise either or both of a fluid damping mechanism or a spring damping mechanism.