Do you know much about the drive shaft?What's the function?

Drive Shaft

The drive shaft is a component of the drive train in a vehicle, with the purpose of delivering torque from the transmission to the differential, which then transmits this torque to the wheels in order to move the vehicle.

As torque carriers, drive shafts are subject to torsion and shear stress, equivalent to the difference between the input torque and the load. They must therefore be strong enough to bear the stress, while avoiding too much additional weight as that would in turn increase their inertia.

Drive shafts and constant velocity joints are components of modern cars, which demand maximum safety. Other vehicles also use drive shafts, like motorcycles, locomotives, and marine vessels. Wear over time is one of the most frequent causes of damage to outboard and inboard joints.

Safety

Most problems with the drive shaft manifest themselves in the form of knocking noises when driving round tight corners, accelerating, or when the suspension is being compressed and extended.If sleeves are loose or worn, there is a risk that dirt or moisture will already have penetrated into the joint. If in doubt, both the damaged sleeve and the entire joint should be replaced for safety reasons.

Function

A drive shaft is a mechanical component  for transmitting torque and rotation, usually used to connect other components of a drive train that cannot be connected directly because of distance or the need to allow for relative movement between them.

Drive shafts for cars with front wheel drive consist of the outboard fixed joint, the inboard constant velocity joint and the connecting shaft. They also include elements such as the anti-lock system ring and the torsion damper.

The function of the drive shaft is to transfer the engine torque from the gearbox or differential to the wheels. It must also compensate for all variations in angle or length resulting from maneuvering and deflection for perfect synchronization between joints.