Automotive Propeller Shaft and Joints

Questions and Answers

What connects the gearbox and the rear axle?

Universal joint

Open propeller shaft (correct)

Slip joint

Pinion shaft

What happens to the springs when the torque resistance of the rear axle changes?

They expand

They get deflected (correct)

They compress

They break

What is the purpose of the slip joint?

To damp the shock

To transmit torque

To accommodate variation in length (correct)

To connect the gearbox and the rear axle

What type of shaft is used in vehicles with a larger wheel base?

Two propeller shafts Signup and view all the answers

What is used to connect the two propeller shafts in vehicles with a large distance between the gearbox and rear axle?

Centre bearing Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the propeller shaft?

To transmit torque Signup and view all the answers

What type of drive is shown in Fig 3?

Torque tube drive Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the universal joint?

To accommodate angular misalignment Signup and view all the answers

Why is the propeller shaft made of strong steel tube?

Because it rotates at high speed and bears a heavy torque Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the pinion shaft in the differential?

To connect the propeller shaft to the differential Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Joints

Double joints permit diffraction angles of up to 50° but do not allow axial displacement.
Flexible discs are resilient, maintenance-free, and permit small diffraction angles and linear variations for damping vibrations and noises.
There are different types of flexible discs, including ball joints and silentbloc joints.

Propeller Shaft

The propeller shaft connects the gearbox and final drive.
It has two main functions: transmitting power at a right angle and increasing torque by reducing speed.
The propeller shaft rotates at high speed, bears heavy torque, and is made of strong steel tube.
In some vehicles, a solid propeller shaft is used.
Vehicles with a larger wheel base use two propeller shafts, and centre bearing is used to connect them.

Drives

There are different types of drives, including Hotchkiss drive and torque tube drive.
In the Hotchkiss drive, the axle shaft takes the vehicle load as well as the driving thrust, and it has two longitudinal rear leaf springs.
In the torque tube drive, the propeller shaft is enclosed in a tube that is fastened to the differential housing.

Final Drive (Differential)

The final drive serves two purposes: transmitting power at a right angle and increasing torque by reducing speed.
It consists of a pinion, crown wheel, and differential cage, with a spider-cross and planetary gears assembled inside.
There are different types of differential, including conventional, power or non-slip, and double reduction type.

Description

This quiz covers the basics of propeller shaft and joints in vehicles, including their functions and types. Understand the different types of joints and their characteristics, as well as the role of the propeller shaft in a vehicle's transmission system.