C.V JOINTS & DRIVESHAFTS

 

C.V JOINTS

 

All front-wheel drive cars have Constant Velocity joints or CV joints on both ends of the drive shafts (half shafts); the inner CV joints connect the drive shafts to the transmission and the outer CV joints connect the drive wheels to the drive shafts (see the picture). Many rear- and four-wheel drive cars and trucks have CV joints as well. The CV joints are needed to transfer the torque at a constant speed to the steered wheels as well as to accommodate up and down motion of the suspension.

A CV joint is packed with a grease and sealed tight by the rubber or plastic boot. A CV joint doesn't need any maintenance and can last very long, as long as the protective CV joint boot is not damaged.

There are two most commonly used types of CV joints: a ball-type and a tripod-type. Ball-type CV joints are commonly used on the outer side of the drive shaft, while the tripod-type CV joints mostly used on the inner side.

http://www.samarins.com/glossary/cv_joint.html

http://blog.micksgarage.ie/post/MicksGarage-Tuesday-Tip-Common-issues-with-CV-joints.aspx 

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1377786

DRIVESHAFT

A driveshaft, also referred to as a propeller shaft, is a mechanical component that sends torque, or the force of motion, to other car parts. Driveshafts can connect to other components that work together in a drive train, or system used to create and transmit power to a surface, such as a road.

A driveshaft's main purpose is to transmit torque between multiple car components. Driveshafts typically receive torque from the transmission and engine and carry it over to the other end of the car. Two other, shorter driveshafts then typically send torque to the wheels.

Driveshafts are designed to handle shear stress, which is the force applied parallel to material. Drive shafts also handle torsion, or the twisting of an object resulting from torque. Driveshafts hold and transfer such energy without adding significant inertia, which is the resistance of these forces. 

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7177571_purpose-drive-shaft_.html#ixzz1P6MDN5lh

http://www.dimensionsguide.com/drive-shaft-dimensions/