Cardan shafts can have a different number of bearings and crosses. Distinguish between cardan shafts and the type of material from which they are made. In some cars, you can find double shafts.
Instructions
Step 1
Today the range of cardan shafts is extremely wide. The products of one manufacturer may differ significantly from the products of another, and in each car model a certain type of this device may be used.
Step 2
Depending on the presence or absence of outboard bearings, two-bearing cardan shafts are distinguished that do not have a outboard bearing; three-bearing propeller shafts, which have one outboard bearing and four-bearing propeller shafts equipped with two bearings. Please note that most vehicles are equipped with propeller shafts with one outboard bearing. The dual bearing device is used in SUVs such as Chrysler and Lexus.
Step 3
According to the type of attachment, cardan shafts are divided into cardan shafts with a crosspiece, steering gear cardans and cardan shafts with constant velocity joints. As for the cardan joints of the first type, their cross-shaped design ensures the coincidence of the axes of rotation of the rotating elements. Such driveshafts are installed on rear-wheel drive cars, but if you want to reduce the vibration of your domestic "swallow" when driving off-road, you can install driveshafts with hinges of equal angular speeds.
Step 4
The drive shafts of the steering mechanism have several crosses, and the shafts with constant velocity joints prevent the occurrence of vibration in the transmission and prevent rapid wear of units and assemblies. In addition, cardan joints with CV joints do not have movable spline joints that need regular maintenance, so they can be considered the most successful option in terms of equipping your car. Cardan shafts differ in the material from which they are made. On sale you can find shafts made of aluminum, cast iron and steel. In recent years, steel shafts have become the most popular.
Step 5
Some cars are equipped with double cardan shafts. The composition of such a connection includes two or more components. This type of design eliminates the beating and vibration of the shaft at high speeds, which cannot be said about the center driveshafts, which bend and give imbalance whenever you try to ride with the breeze. Therefore, SUVs and other high-speed vehicles are equipped with split shafts.
Step 6
Cardan shafts with involute splines have replaced devices with a standard movable spline connection. The latter in itself quickly wore out, and contributed to the incapacitation of other transmission units. Specially shaped involute splines prevent vibration and extend the life of the universal joint.