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cardanshaft12 · 4 years
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propeller shaft
The propeller shaft (likewise called prop shaft or drive shaft) is a part of the drive train in a vehicle, It is an important part of the transmission of power in the automobile driveline. For a front-engine rear-wheel drive car, it transmits the rotation of the transmission to the shaft of the final drive.
Cardan shafts are used differently in different vehicles, varying greatly in cars with distinct configurations for front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and the previously mentioned front-engine rear-wheel drive. The propeller shaft is essentially used to exchange torque between parts that are isolated by a separation since various segments must be in various areas in the vehicle. A front-motor back wheel drive vehicle must have a lengthy drive shaft associating the back pivot to the transmission since these parts are on inverse sides of the vehicle. § Propeller Shaft is the shaft that transmits power from the gearbox to the differential gear in a motor vehicle from the engine to the propeller in a boat or flying machine. § Propeller shaft sometimes called a transmission shaft, transmits power from the gearbox to the rear axle. Regularly the shaft has a tubular section and is made in maybe a couple of piece construction. § The two-piece arrangement is supported at the midpoint by an elastically mounted bearing. Short drive shafts are incorporated for the transmission of power from the last drive assembly to the road wheels in both front and rear-wheel drive layouts.
FUNCTIONS OF THE PROPELLER SHAFT
The main functions of the propeller shaft that if transmit rotary motion and power to the differential. Prop shaft consisting of three parts, i.e. hollow shaft, universal joints, and slip joints.
Where the engine and axles are separated from each other, as on four-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive vehicles, it is the propeller shaft that serves to transmit the driving force generated by the engine to the axles. The longer the shaft, the more liable it is to bend, and bending is further promoted when rotation is applied causing vibrations and resulting in an increase in noise. For this reason, the propeller shaft has been designed to suppress vibrations arising from a wide range of causes.In some vehicles, the engine is kept at the front and the front wheels of the vehicle are being driven. In some other vehicles, the engine is at the rear and the rear wheels are being driven. For such arrangements, a short propeller shaft is used to drive each wheel.
The engine and the transmission unit are attached to the vehicle frame with some flexible mounting. The rear axle housing with differential and wheels are attached to the vehicle frame by suspension springs.
To sum up, the propeller shaft does the following functions:
1. It transmits rotary motion of the gearbox output shaft to the differential and then to the wheels through the axle shafts.
2. It transmits the motion at an angle which is varying frequently.
3. It accommodates changes in length between gearbox and rear axle.
TYPES OF PROPELLER SHAFT:
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Single-Piece-Type Propeller Shaft:
Characteristics:
The friction welding adopted at the junction contributes to an improvement in the strength, quality, and durability of the junction. A reduction in the number of component parts and in the weight has been achieved.
Used in vehicles with a short separation between the motor and axles, and MR based four-wheel-drive vehicles. The erosion welding adopted at the intersection adds to an enhancement in the quality, quality, and strength of the intersection.
On a single piece propeller shaft, you may have a solid connection to the axle while a slip yoke connects it to the transmission. The yoke slides over the splines of the transmission’s output shaft. The reason this is done is to allow the driveshaft to “change sizes” during flex. The drive shaft will be able to slide back and forth on these splines to keep from binding, while effectively being able to apply power. You may also have a propeller shaft upfront, similar to what is found on a two-piece driveshaft, which offers a fixed mounting position on the transmission but still allows the transmission shaft to extend as needed. Between the yoke and the transmission shaft—and used as the connecting point for the driveshaft and the differential—are universal joints or u-joints. U-joints are used to manage the angles. The transmission and transmission shaft sits at an angled pitch and this means that the driveshaft will need to pivot as it rotates. U-joints are what make this possible.
2-piece-type/3-piece-type Propeller Shaft:
Characteristics:
The division of the propeller shaft into two- or three-parts permits the vital quantity of revolution to decreased stopping vibration problems from going on when the typical size of the shaft increased. The dynamic damper inserted into the pipe reduces the vibration and noise. The friction welding adopted at the junction contributes to an enchancment in the strength, quality, and sturdiness of the junction. A reduction in the number of factor components and in the weight has been achieved. Two-piece propeller shafts do all the identical matters as a single-piece driveshaft, simply in a barely unique way. Rather than the use of a slip yoke to connect to the rear of the transmission, these are established in a fixed role with the use of a u-joint on the output shaft of the transmission and a u-joint on the axle. Utilized as a piece of cars with lengthy separation between the motor and axles, and Front motor front-drive base four-wheel-drive vehicles. The division of the propeller shaft into a few sections allows the primary quantity of transformations to delivered down maintaining the vibration difficulty from going on when the typical size of the pole expanded. The 2-piece-type prop shaft nonetheless needs to manipulate flex, and this is performed between the two driveshafts as an alternative of at the transmission. This is vital for 4 wheel drive vehicles that see severe flex—as the use of a slip yoke ought to virtually end result in the driveshaft falling out of the vehicle.
Common Bad Propeller Shaft Symptoms
Since propeller axles rotate quickly, they’re able to move the rear wheels of your vehicle. The only way they can keep rotating quickly is if they remain weighted down and balanced exactly right. If your driveshaft were to ever go bad, then there would be some clearly visible symptoms that would present themselves. More specifically,  Here are some common signs to watch out for that will let you know there is a problem with the drive shaft or slip yoke.
1) Vibrations If you’re driving the vehicle and you feel a lot of harsh vibrations coming from under it, then your prop shaft may be in trouble. This is usually the first symptom that people recognize when there is a drive shaft problem. The vibrations are likely due to worn out bushings of the drive shaft. These bushings are what normally keeps the propeller Axle from vibrating in the first place. If the problem is not fixed soon, the vibration will get more severe. It will get so bad that your passengers will be able to feel it too. The worst part is that other drivetrain components can also be affected and damaged. 2) Clunking Noise A failing propeller shaft could cause clunking sounds to be heard as you step on the gas pedal or drive in reverse. These may be in addition to the squeaking sounds that you normally hear all the time. If you hear clunking noises in any of these cases, then it could mean your drive shaft has an issue and should be promptly inspected. Often, this is a common symptom of a bad slip yoke. At this point, you should feel more than motivated to want to replace your shaft before some real damage occurs. 3) Squeaking Noise This could be due to worn out internal components such as bushings or bearings within the shaft or U-joint or possibly an imbalance in the shaft. Usually, the noise increases as you go faster. It could possibly be out of balance or some other part of it could be worn out. 4) Universal Joint Movement Your propeller shaft has a U-joint that rotates at a steady pace. If the U type joint of your drive shaft rotates too fast or fails to rotate, then it’s a problem with your propeller Axle. Perhaps you have a bad Universal joint or your bearings have rust on the cap seals. This may require you to replace your entire driveshaft if the damage is too significant. 5) Turning Problems steering wheel off-center If you try to make a turn with your vehicle and the wheels don’t turn immediately or they hesitate, then you have an issue with your drive shaft.  Your wheels won’t receive the proper amount of torque due to a U-joint issue at the end of the driveshaft, so making turns will be very difficult due to the additional resistance. Once you confirm it’s the driveshaft at fault, you need to get it replaced quickly or risk an accident due to not being able to control the vehicle.
Propeller Shaft Vibration Analysis
Noisy propeller shafts, vibrations in the driveline, or annoying resonance may indicate a problem in the propeller axle. Ignoring this phenomenon may cause damage to bearings and hull or other parts. You can prevent this damage.
Vibration intransmission shaft can be caused by many conditions. One of the most common causes of driveline vibration is worn U-joints or slip splines, out-of-balance components, yokes out of phase or misaligned angles, approaching critical speed range, and yoke ears that are not concentric with the splines. Vibrations problems must be diagnosed accurately and corrected quickly to avoid damage to the driveline components. It is often difficult to determine if a vibration of the vehicle is coming from the driveshaft or something else.  Here are some things to think about while you are troubleshooting any driveshaft problem.      
A First type propeller shaft vibration will cause one shake or disturbance for each revolution of the driveshaft. Anything that is out of balance will only cause the first-order vibration, never any higher-order vibrations.
First type driveshaft vibration is usually caused by:
A component rotating the same speed as the drive shaft that is out-of-round. A component rotating the same speed as the propeller shaft that is out-of-balance. Transmission shaft balance issues can generally be felt at speeds over 30mi./h   The Second type of driveshaft vibration will cause two shakes or disturbances for each revolution of the transmission shaft. A component that is out of balance will NEVER cause a second or other type of vibration, only a first type of vibration.
Second type propeller shaft vibration is usually caused by:
Incorrect Vehicle Trim Height
Powertrain Mounting Problems
Failed or Failing U-Joints
Improperly phased or twisted driveshafts
very low speeds, and higher speeds
Drive Axle Problems
Third type propeller shaft vibration will cause three shakes or disturbances for each revolution of the driveshaft.
This type of vibration is very rare and will not be present on vehicles with Cardan U-joints. A component that is out of balance will NEVER cause a third or higher type vibration, only a first type of vibration.
Third type propeller shaft vibrations are usually caused by:
Failed, failing, or binding Constant Velocity (CV) Joints.  Remove the drive shaft and rotate the CV-joint through its full range of motion while feeling for any rough spots or looseness.
Another common problem is caused by oil leakage from a faulty propeller shaft seal. Also, radial sealing stuffing boxes, which do not adapt to misalignment of the prop shaft, often cause leakages. Other leakages may occur due to the long-term wear of gaskets on the propeller shaft. In order to prevent leakages, we often use propeller shaft seals that ensure longitudinal sealing.
These propeller shaft seals have self-centering lip seals rotating with the drive shaft against a counter-slip ring. A major advantage is that the cooling/lubricating medium remains on the outside and is not pressed in between the sliding surfaces. This is often the cause of leakages.
How to Repair the Prop Shaft
The integrity of your propeller shaft is as important as the whole unit. Even though you may not notice it, the shaft is designed to wear out and corrode over time. Repairs can be done easily without much cost or hassle if you understand how to repair the propeller shaft properly.
Before you begin to think about repairing your propeller shaft, make sure that the blades of the unit are in good condition. If the blades have been damaged, they will require special attention and service to get them back to their former glory.
You should also check the joint between the propshaft and the blades. As the shaft starts to deteriorate, it creates holes that will eventually allow water to enter between the blade and the shaft. Eventually, the blade will corrode and become dull, eventually leading to frequent breakdowns and breakdown of the propeller shaft. Repair the prop shaft to avoid more damage to the blade. If the blades are not damaged, simply repair the damage that is present. With proper maintenance, your propeller will run smoothly for years to come.
A good way to go about the process of repairing the propeller shaft is to remove the blades and trim the shaft after they have been inspected. This will make it easier to align the blade. This is also a good way to avoid damage to the blades that might be caused when they were being installed. As a general rule, the propeller shaft should be able to hold itself together and securely in place. Try removing the blades and paying attention to where the shaft meets the blade. If there is a gap, you may need to adjust the shaft before the process can proceed.
For the best results, it is advisable to have a professional repair the propeller shaft. If you try to repair the shaft yourself, it is likely that you will not be able to maintain the correct alignment of the blades and the shaft. There is a chance that you could end up causing more damage to the driveshaft than fixing it. It is not always necessary to have a professional repair the shaft. Small repairs can be made by purchasing the needed parts or by repairing them yourself. If the propeller shaft is older, it may be need to replace the entire shaft.
How to Replace the Propeller Shaft
Although propeller shafts design and purpose is incredibly simplistic in nature, replacing a drive shaft center support bearing is not one of the easiest jobs to complete.
The exact removal of a driveshaft will vary from vehicle to vehicle, and the exact how-to can’t be covered with one single process across the board.
To remove a driveshaft, you usually only need basic hand tools, which include a socket wrench and socket set along with box wrenches.
Additionally, pry bars will be needed to help encourage the driveshaft to break free after the mounting hardware has been removed.
1. Remove propeller shaft Bolts Remove the shaft differential flange mounting bolts. These bolts will be very tight so use good quality tools to avoid stripping. Some bolts can head 12 point heads as in this example which used a 13mm 12 point socket to remove. These bolts also use lock tight to avoid coming loose while in operation and can be reapplied when reinstalling. 2. Remove propeller shaft Flange Using a plastic hammer gently shock the driveshaft loose from the differential flange by striking the rear yoke (U joint mount). At this point, the back half of the shaft will be free to hang onto it. On some cars, there will be center support which must be undone by removing the two center support mounting bolts. When removing an older vehicle transmission shaft use electrical tape to wrap around types of universal joints cups so they don't fall off and release the cup needle bearings. 3. Remove propeller shaft Using both hands gently slide the driveshaft from the transmission or transfer case. A small amount of fluid might leak out so have a fluid catch basin ready. This would be a good time to replace leaking transmission tail housing seal, universal joints or if removing the transmission or differential repairs are needed. 4. Check U joints At this point, the U joint at either end of the shaft should be checked. Grasp the yoke and move it in all directions. It should be a smooth motion with no rough spots or play in any direction. If a play or rough spots occur then the U joint needs to be replaced. 5. Reinstall propeller shaft Before re-installing the driveshaft apply a small amount of grease to the yoke. This will help lubricate the output shaft seal in the transmission or transfer case. 6. Reinstall Flange Bolts Once the front yoke is installed pull the drive shaft back into place while inserting a mounting bolt by hand to avoid cross-threading. The process of replacing one falls into a higher level of difficulty than simply replacing u-joints or installing a new transmission shaft. A savvy tech can take the time to break into these units to repair what’s specifically broken, but often it’s quicker to simply replace the whole driveshaft.
How to Prevent Propeller Shaft Failure
As a vehicle proprietor, you can likewise do numerous things to safeguard the driveline of your vehicle, from checking and guaranteeing your motor liquids are consistently at the correct levels to maintaining a strategic distance from harsh utilization of the driveline. Here are more explicit tips you can do to keep your propshaft in great working condition: Continuously have your widespread joints all around greased up. The absence of oil can prompt a train of harm that can be pricey not exclusively to the driveshaft yet additionally to connecting segments, for example, siphons and gearboxes. Evacuate the spreads and assess the containers of high use prop shaft all the time. These parts can get exhausted because of consistent high force development. Document off unpleasant edges on the cylinders so it won't get on the other portion of the cylinder. Make a point to supplant the move pin when you supplant tubes since they can slacken on account of force stacking. Apply a limited quantity of oil with oil on tubes as this will assist with making slide simpler and to ensure that the oil is appropriated all the more reliably. Ensure drive shaft covers and chains are in defensive and safe condition to forestall mishaps and wounds.
Recycling of Propeller Shafts
Both brand new replacement propeller shafts for passenger vehicles and professionally reconditioned drive shafts are available on the market. When used transmission shafts (most of which will have been damaged) are reconditioned, the old parts are taken back from vehicle garages for professional recycling in special production plants in accordance with the standards set for original equipment. As part of this process, all usable steel parts are reused. The old propeller shafts are inspected, taken apart, cleaned, machined, and then put back together for the car repairs market. Other materials resulting from the reconditioning process (old grease, metal chips or worn steel parts, for example) are disposed of in the correct and proper way in accordance with applicable environmental guidelines. Recycling significantly reduces the consumption of both raw materials and energy and makes a significant contribution to the active protection of the environment.
The above is the detailed content of the propeller shafts, more related content will continue to be updated.
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cardanshaft12 · 4 years
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Drum Gear Coupling: High-precision Coupling
The drum gear coupling is a rigid-flexible coupling, which is composed of an internal ring gear with the same number of teeth and a flange half coupling with external teeth. The external teeth are divided into two types of straight teeth and drum teeth. The drum gear coupling can allow a larger angular displacement (relative to the straight tooth coupling), which can improve the contact conditions of the teeth and increase the torque transmission. Ability to extend service life.
Drum gear couplings have the ability to compensate for axial deviations in radial, axial, and angular directions. Compared with straight gear couplings, they have a compact structure, a small radius of gyration, a large carrying capacity, high transmission efficiency, and low noise. The advantages such as long maintenance cycle are especially suitable for low-speed and heavy-duty working conditions, such as metallurgy, mining, lifting and pulping industry, as well as the shafting transmission of various machinery such as petroleum, chemical, and general machinery.
The drum gear coupling, model DC, is consisted of seals, the outer end cover, the load-carrying ring, the hub with. crowned spur gear teeth, the flanged housing with internal gear teeth, and the inner end cover.
Selection of drum gear coupling
When selecting a coupling, the coupling should be selected based on the needs of the drive system of the shaft system, and it should be avoided to simply consider the coupling between the master and driven ends. 8 points to consider
(1) Consider the mechanical characteristics of the power machine
From the power machine to the working time, the main and driven ends are connected by one or several couplings of different varieties or different types and specifications to form a shafting transmission system. In mechanical transmission, power machines are nothing more than electric motors, internal combustion engines and steam turbines. Due to the different working principle and structure of the power machine, its mechanical characteristics are very different, and some operations are stable, and some have impacts during operation, which have unequal effects on the transmission system.
(2) Consider the load type
Due to the different structures and materials, the coupling capacity of the couplings used in the transmission systems of various mechanical products varies greatly. The load category is mainly to form different types of loads for reasons such as impact, vibration, forward and reverse, braking, and frequent starting of the working load of the working machine. In order to facilitate the selection and calculation, the load of the transmission system is divided into four categories.
(3) Consider the allowable speed of the coupling
The allowable speed range of the coupling is determined by calculation according to the maximum outer edge size of the linear velocity allowed by different materials of the coupling. The allowable speed range of the coupling is different for different materials, varieties and specifications. Changing the material of the coupling can increase the allowable speed range of the coupling. The allowable speed of steel is greater than the allowable speed of cast iron.
(4) The relative displacement of the two shafts connected by the coupling
The two shafts connected by the coupling are subject to relative displacement due to various factors such as manufacturing errors, assembly errors, installation errors, shaft loading and deformation, base deformation, bearing wear, temperature changes, and relative motion between components. Under normal circumstances, the relative displacement of the two shafts is inevitable, but the direction of the balanced displacement generated by the shafting transmission under different working conditions, that is, the axial, radial angular direction and the amount of displacement are different.
(5) Consider the transmission accuracy of the coupling
Small torque and shafting transmission based on transmission motion require couplings with high transmission accuracy. Flexible couplings with metal elastic elements should be used. High-torque and power-transmitting shafting transmissions also have requirements for transmission accuracy. At high speeds, non-metallic elastic components should be avoided. Flexible couplings with gaps between elastic couplings and movable components should be used. Diaphragm coupling with high transmission accuracy.
(6) Coupling size, installation and maintenance
The external dimensions of the coupling, that is, the maximum radial and axial dimensions, must be within the installation space allowed by the machine. Choose the coupling that is easy to assemble and disassemble, no maintenance, long maintenance period or convenient maintenance, replace the wearing parts without moving the two shafts, and easy to adjust the coupling.
(7) Consider working environment
Couplings work with various host products, and the surrounding working environment is more complicated. For the working environment of high temperature, low temperature, oil, acid and alkali medium, it is not suitable to use the flexible coupling with general rubber as the elastic element material, and the metal elastic element flexible coupling should be selected.
(8) Consider the manufacture, installation, maintenance and cost of the coupling
Under the premise of satisfying the convenience performance, the coupling that is convenient for assembly and disassembly, simple maintenance and low cost should be selected. For example, the rigid coupling is not only simple in structure, but also easy to assemble and disassemble. It can be used for low-speed, high-rigidity transmission shafts.
Advantages of drum gear coupling(Compared with the straight-tooth coupling)
1. Strong carrying capacity. Under the same outer diameter of the inner gear sleeve and the large outer diameter of the coupling, the load-bearing capacity of the drum gear coupling is increased by 15-20% on average than that of the straight gear coupling;
2. Large amount of angular displacement compensation. At the same modulus, number of teeth, and tooth width, the angular displacement of the drum-shaped tooth is greater than that of the straight tooth;
3. The drum-shaped tooth surface improves the contact conditions of the internal and external teeth, avoiding the disadvantages of edge tooth extrusion and stress concentration under the condition of angular displacement, while improving the friction and wear of the tooth surface and reducing Noise and long maintenance cycle;
4. Because the side of the drum-shaped tooth is drum-shaped, the axis is inclined at a certain angle, and the contact force is improved for the contact between the drum-shaped tooth surface and the internal tooth surface. The contact condition is improved, the contact stress is reduced, and the ordinary straight tooth gear coupling is changed. The end of the external teeth of the shaft is carried, eliminating edge compression.
5. The tooth end of the outer tooth sleeve is in the shape of a horn, which makes it very convenient to assemble and disassemble the inner and outer teeth.
Because the tooth surface of the outer teeth is a drum-shaped surface, the gap between the inner and outer teeth is reduced, the impact of the inner and outer teeth is small during work, and the service life is extended.
Inspection method of drum gear coupling
1. Check the meshing of the tooth surface of the drum gear coupling. The contact area is not less than 50% along the tooth height and not less than 70% along the tooth width. The tooth surface must not have severe pitting, wear and cracks.
2. The full circle runout of the outer ring gear of the drum gear coupling is not greater than 0.03mm, and the end face round runout is not greater than 0.02mm.
3. If you need to remove the ring gear, you must use special tools, not to beat, so as not to bend or damage the shaft. When reinstalling, the ring gear should be heated to about 200°C and then installed on the shaft. The interference between the outer ring gear and the shaft is generally 0.01~0.03mm.
4. When reloading the indirect tube or other parts, it should be assembled according to the original mark and data.
5. Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts evenly.
Common failures of drum gear couplings
Regardless of the many advantages of the toothed coupling itself, it is difficult to avoid various size failures in long-term work and use. Some common obstacles in use of the drum gear coupling introduced to you below
1. The tooth surface of the coupling is seriously damaged, caused by poor materials and low hardness of the tooth surface.
2. The axial displacement of the gear ring of the coupling is large, and it can't even mesh. The tooth shape design is not reasonable enough, the tooth tip interference or the machining accuracy is not high.
3. The coupling has broken teeth.
4. The coupling bolt breaks.
5. The over-installation and over-installation cause the tooth clearance to disappear.
6. Unclean oil, insufficient lubrication or dry grinding
Measures to solve the fault of drum gear couplings
1. The oil quantity of the lifting parts coupling is insufficient or lacks oil
Treatment method: As long as the new grease is replaced, qualified grease oil is injected regularly to prevent oil leakage and the amount of oil is sufficient to avoid
2. The horizontal and coaxial errors of the two shafts are too large, which exceeds the range of the coupling, which can make the shaft teeth and internal teeth mesh inaccurately, causing local contact and causing additional torque.
  
Treatment method: The horizontal and concentricity errors of the two shafts are large, which causes the coupling to be uncomfortable when rolling. This kind of failure is difficult to handle and needs to be discontinued. That is, re-align, or re-align the reducer side, or re-align the reel side. First find out the position where the offset error is large, so first measure the coupling is offset to that side, that is, measure the horizontality and coaxiality of the main shaft and the horizontality and coaxiality of the main shaft of the reducer. Scale leveling to correct, you can eliminate the fault.
Development of drum gear coupling
 
The reason for the wear of the coupling gear of the above lifting accessories is basically similar. In addition to the normal force, the connecting bolt is also subjected to additional bending moments, which causes it to break, which is the main reason. This kind of reason mostly occurs when the level difference between the reducer main shaft and the horizontal is large. Furthermore, the bolt diameter is small, the strength is not enough or the bolt material is poor, it can also cause the bolt to break.
With the rapid development of modern industrial technology, the technical and economic indicators such as the bearing capacity, reliability, efficiency, circumferential speed, volume and weight of drum gear couplings are increasingly demanding. Mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1. Among the full range of couplings, the drum-shaped gear coupling has small size, large transmission torque, strong ability to absorb connection errors, and the well has excellent performance characteristics;
2. In the medium and heavy machinery industry, the drum gear coupling is a common component that connects the two transmission shafts;
3. Drum gear coupling is developed on the basis of straight-tooth gear coupling to meet the performance and other technologies;
4. Drum gear coupling also plays an important role in production practice, it can compensate the angular error, axial and radial installation errors caused by the misalignment of the two coupling shafts, allowing the two shafts There is a certain displacement
5. With the development of economy and the rise of heavy machinery and equipment, the requirements for the use of high-precision drum-type gear couplings for its main transmission are also increasing.
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cardanshaft12 · 4 years
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Propeller Shaft
The propeller shaft (likewise called prop shaft or drive shaft) is a part of the drive train in a vehicle, It is an important part of the transmission of power in the automobile driveline. For a front-engine rear-wheel drive car, it transmits the rotation of the transmission to the shaft of the final drive.
Cardan shafts are used differently in different vehicles, varying greatly in cars with distinct configurations for front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and the previously mentioned front-engine rear-wheel drive. The propeller shaft is essentially used to exchange torque between parts that are isolated by a separation since various segments must be in various areas in the vehicle. A front-motor back wheel drive vehicle must have a lengthy drive shaft associating the back pivot to the transmission since these parts are on inverse sides of the vehicle. § Propeller Shaft is the shaft that transmits power from the gearbox to the differential gear in a motor vehicle from the engine to the propeller in a boat or flying machine. § Propeller shaft sometimes called a transmission shaft, transmits power from the gearbox to the rear axle. Regularly the shaft has a tubular section and is made in maybe a couple of piece construction. § The two-piece arrangement is supported at the midpoint by an elastically mounted bearing. Short drive shafts are incorporated for the transmission of power from the last drive assembly to the road wheels in both front and rear-wheel drive layouts.
FUNCTIONS OF THE PROPELLER SHAFT
The main functions of the propeller shaft that if transmit rotary motion and power to the differential. Prop shaft consisting of three parts, i.e. hollow shaft, universal joints, and slip joints.
Where the engine and axles are separated from each other, as on four-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive vehicles, it is the propeller shaft that serves to transmit the driving force generated by the engine to the axles. The longer the shaft, the more liable it is to bend, and bending is further promoted when rotation is applied causing vibrations and resulting in an increase in noise. For this reason, the propeller shaft has been designed to suppress vibrations arising from a wide range of causes.In some vehicles, the engine is kept at the front and the front wheels of the vehicle are being driven. In some other vehicles, the engine is at the rear and the rear wheels are being driven. For such arrangements, a short propeller shaft is used to drive each wheel.
The engine and the transmission unit are attached to the vehicle frame with some flexible mounting. The rear axle housing with differential and wheels are attached to the vehicle frame by suspension springs.
To sum up, the propeller shaft does the following functions:
1. It transmits rotary motion of the gearbox output shaft to the differential and then to the wheels through the axle shafts.
2. It transmits the motion at an angle which is varying frequently.
3. It accommodates changes in length between gearbox and rear axle.
TYPES OF PROPELLER SHAFT:
Single-Piece-Type Propeller Shaft:
Characteristics:
The friction welding adopted at the junction contributes to an improvement in the strength, quality, and durability of the junction. A reduction in the number of component parts and in the weight has been achieved.
Used in vehicles with a short separation between the motor and axles, and MR based four-wheel-drive vehicles. The erosion welding adopted at the intersection adds to an enhancement in the quality, quality, and strength of the intersection.
On a single piece propeller shaft, you may have a solid connection to the axle while a slip yoke connects it to the transmission. The yoke slides over the splines of the transmission’s output shaft. The reason this is done is to allow the driveshaft to “change sizes” during flex. The drive shaft will be able to slide back and forth on these splines to keep from binding, while effectively being able to apply power. You may also have a propeller shaft upfront, similar to what is found on a two-piece driveshaft, which offers a fixed mounting position on the transmission but still allows the transmission shaft to extend as needed. Between the yoke and the transmission shaft—and used as the connecting point for the driveshaft and the differential—are universal joints or u-joints. U-joints are used to manage the angles. The transmission and transmission shaft sits at an angled pitch and this means that the driveshaft will need to pivot as it rotates. U-joints are what make this possible.
2-piece-type/3-piece-type Propeller Shaft:
Characteristics:
The division of the propeller shaft into two- or three-parts permits the vital quantity of revolution to decreased stopping vibration problems from going on when the typical size of the shaft increased. The dynamic damper inserted into the pipe reduces the vibration and noise. The friction welding adopted at the junction contributes to an enchancment in the strength, quality, and sturdiness of the junction. A reduction in the number of factor components and in the weight has been achieved. Two-piece propeller shafts do all the identical matters as a single-piece driveshaft, simply in a barely unique way. Rather than the use of a slip yoke to connect to the rear of the transmission, these are established in a fixed role with the use of a u-joint on the output shaft of the transmission and a u-joint on the axle. Utilized as a piece of cars with lengthy separation between the motor and axles, and Front motor front-drive base four-wheel-drive vehicles. The division of the propeller shaft into a few sections allows the primary quantity of transformations to delivered down maintaining the vibration difficulty from going on when the typical size of the pole expanded. The 2-piece-type prop shaft nonetheless needs to manipulate flex, and this is performed between the two driveshafts as an alternative of at the transmission. This is vital for 4 wheel drive vehicles that see severe flex—as the use of a slip yoke ought to virtually end result in the driveshaft falling out of the vehicle.
Common Bad Propeller Shaft Symptoms
Since propeller axles rotate quickly, they’re able to move the rear wheels of your vehicle. The only way they can keep rotating quickly is if they remain weighted down and balanced exactly right. If your driveshaft were to ever go bad, then there would be some clearly visible symptoms that would present themselves. More specifically,  Here are some common signs to watch out for that will let you know there is a problem with the drive shaft or slip yoke.
1) Vibrations If you’re driving the vehicle and you feel a lot of harsh vibrations coming from under it, then your prop shaft may be in trouble. This is usually the first symptom that people recognize when there is a drive shaft problem. The vibrations are likely due to worn out bushings of the drive shaft. These bushings are what normally keeps the propeller Axle from vibrating in the first place. If the problem is not fixed soon, the vibration will get more severe. It will get so bad that your passengers will be able to feel it too. The worst part is that other drivetrain components can also be affected and damaged. 2) Clunking Noise A failing propeller shaft could cause clunking sounds to be heard as you step on the gas pedal or drive in reverse. These may be in addition to the squeaking sounds that you normally hear all the time. If you hear clunking noises in any of these cases, then it could mean your drive shaft has an issue and should be promptly inspected. Often, this is a common symptom of a bad slip yoke. At this point, you should feel more than motivated to want to replace your shaft before some real damage occurs. 3) Squeaking Noise This could be due to worn out internal components such as bushings or bearings within the shaft or U-joint or possibly an imbalance in the shaft. Usually, the noise increases as you go faster. It could possibly be out of balance or some other part of it could be worn out. 4) Universal Joint Movement Your propeller shaft has a U-joint that rotates at a steady pace. If the U type joint of your drive shaft rotates too fast or fails to rotate, then it’s a problem with your propeller Axle. Perhaps you have a bad Universal joint or your bearings have rust on the cap seals. This may require you to replace your entire driveshaft if the damage is too significant. 5) Turning Problems steering wheel off-center If you try to make a turn with your vehicle and the wheels don’t turn immediately or they hesitate, then you have an issue with your drive shaft.  Your wheels won’t receive the proper amount of torque due to a U-joint issue at the end of the driveshaft, so making turns will be very difficult due to the additional resistance. Once you confirm it’s the driveshaft at fault, you need to get it replaced quickly or risk an accident due to not being able to control the vehicle.
Propeller Shaft Vibration Analysis
Noisy propeller shafts, vibrations in the driveline, or annoying resonance may indicate a problem in the propeller axle. Ignoring this phenomenon may cause damage to bearings and hull or other parts. You can prevent this damage.
Vibration intransmission shaft can be caused by many conditions. One of the most common causes of driveline vibration is worn U-joints or slip splines, out-of-balance components, yokes out of phase or misaligned angles, approaching critical speed range, and yoke ears that are not concentric with the splines. Vibrations problems must be diagnosed accurately and corrected quickly to avoid damage to the driveline components. It is often difficult to determine if a vibration of the vehicle is coming from the driveshaft or something else.  Here are some things to think about while you are troubleshooting any driveshaft problem.      
A First type propeller shaft vibration will cause one shake or disturbance for each revolution of the driveshaft. Anything that is out of balance will only cause the first-order vibration, never any higher-order vibrations.
First type driveshaft vibration is usually caused by:
A component rotating the same speed as the drive shaft that is out-of-round. A component rotating the same speed as the propeller shaft that is out-of-balance. Transmission shaft balance issues can generally be felt at speeds over 30mi./h   The Second type of driveshaft vibration will cause two shakes or disturbances for each revolution of the transmission shaft. A component that is out of balance will NEVER cause a second or other type of vibration, only a first type of vibration.
Second type propeller shaft vibration is usually caused by:
Incorrect Vehicle Trim Height
Powertrain Mounting Problems
Failed or Failing U-Joints
Improperly phased or twisted driveshafts
very low speeds, and higher speeds
Drive Axle Problems
Third type propeller shaft vibration will cause three shakes or disturbances for each revolution of the driveshaft.
This type of vibration is very rare and will not be present on vehicles with Cardan U-joints. A component that is out of balance will NEVER cause a third or higher type vibration, only a first type of vibration.
Third type propeller shaft vibrations are usually caused by:
Failed, failing, or binding Constant Velocity (CV) Joints.  Remove the drive shaft and rotate the CV-joint through its full range of motion while feeling for any rough spots or looseness.
Another common problem is caused by oil leakage from a faulty propeller shaft seal. Also, radial sealing stuffing boxes, which do not adapt to misalignment of the prop shaft, often cause leakages. Other leakages may occur due to the long-term wear of gaskets on the propeller shaft. In order to prevent leakages, we often use propeller shaft seals that ensure longitudinal sealing.
These propeller shaft seals have self-centering lip seals rotating with the drive shaft against a counter-slip ring. A major advantage is that the cooling/lubricating medium remains on the outside and is not pressed in between the sliding surfaces. This is often the cause of leakages.
How to Repair the Prop Shaft
The integrity of your propeller shaft is as important as the whole unit. Even though you may not notice it, the shaft is designed to wear out and corrode over time. Repairs can be done easily without much cost or hassle if you understand how to repair the propeller shaft properly.
Before you begin to think about repairing your propeller shaft, make sure that the blades of the unit are in good condition. If the blades have been damaged, they will require special attention and service to get them back to their former glory.
You should also check the joint between the propshaft and the blades. As the shaft starts to deteriorate, it creates holes that will eventually allow water to enter between the blade and the shaft. Eventually, the blade will corrode and become dull, eventually leading to frequent breakdowns and breakdown of the propeller shaft. Repair the prop shaft to avoid more damage to the blade. If the blades are not damaged, simply repair the damage that is present. With proper maintenance, your propeller will run smoothly for years to come.
A good way to go about the process of repairing the propeller shaft is to remove the blades and trim the shaft after they have been inspected. This will make it easier to align the blade. This is also a good way to avoid damage to the blades that might be caused when they were being installed. As a general rule, the propeller shaft should be able to hold itself together and securely in place. Try removing the blades and paying attention to where the shaft meets the blade. If there is a gap, you may need to adjust the shaft before the process can proceed.
For the best results, it is advisable to have a professional repair the propeller shaft. If you try to repair the shaft yourself, it is likely that you will not be able to maintain the correct alignment of the blades and the shaft. There is a chance that you could end up causing more damage to the driveshaft than fixing it. It is not always necessary to have a professional repair the shaft. Small repairs can be made by purchasing the needed parts or by repairing them yourself. If the propeller shaft is older, it may be need to replace the entire shaft.
How to Replace the Propeller Shaft
Although propeller shafts design and purpose is incredibly simplistic in nature, replacing a drive shaft center support bearing is not one of the easiest jobs to complete.
The exact removal of a driveshaft will vary from vehicle to vehicle, and the exact how-to can’t be covered with one single process across the board.
To remove a driveshaft, you usually only need basic hand tools, which include a socket wrench and socket set along with box wrenches.
Additionally, pry bars will be needed to help encourage the driveshaft to break free after the mounting hardware has been removed.
1. Remove propeller shaft Bolts Remove the shaft differential flange mounting bolts. These bolts will be very tight so use good quality tools to avoid stripping. Some bolts can head 12 point heads as in this example which used a 13mm 12 point socket to remove. These bolts also use lock tight to avoid coming loose while in operation and can be reapplied when reinstalling. 2. Remove propeller shaft Flange Using a plastic hammer gently shock the driveshaft loose from the differential flange by striking the rear yoke (U joint mount). At this point, the back half of the shaft will be free to hang onto it. On some cars, there will be center support which must be undone by removing the two center support mounting bolts. When removing an older vehicle transmission shaft use electrical tape to wrap around types of universal joints cups so they don't fall off and release the cup needle bearings. 3. Remove propeller shaft Using both hands gently slide the driveshaft from the transmission or transfer case. A small amount of fluid might leak out so have a fluid catch basin ready. This would be a good time to replace leaking transmission tail housing seal, universal joints or if removing the transmission or differential repairs are needed. 4. Check U joints At this point, the U joint at either end of the shaft should be checked. Grasp the yoke and move it in all directions. It should be a smooth motion with no rough spots or play in any direction. If a play or rough spots occur then the U joint needs to be replaced. 5. Reinstall propeller shaft Before re-installing the driveshaft apply a small amount of grease to the yoke. This will help lubricate the output shaft seal in the transmission or transfer case. 6. Reinstall Flange Bolts Once the front yoke is installed pull the drive shaft back into place while inserting a mounting bolt by hand to avoid cross-threading. The process of replacing one falls into a higher level of difficulty than simply replacing u-joints or installing a new transmission shaft. A savvy tech can take the time to break into these units to repair what’s specifically broken, but often it’s quicker to simply replace the whole driveshaft.
How to Prevent Propeller Shaft Failure
As a vehicle proprietor, you can likewise do numerous things to safeguard the driveline of your vehicle, from checking and guaranteeing your motor liquids are consistently at the correct levels to maintaining a strategic distance from harsh utilization of the driveline. Here are more explicit tips you can do to keep your propshaft in great working condition: Continuously have your widespread joints all around greased up. The absence of oil can prompt a train of harm that can be pricey not exclusively to the driveshaft yet additionally to connecting segments, for example, siphons and gearboxes. Evacuate the spreads and assess the containers of high use prop shaft all the time. These parts can get exhausted because of consistent high force development. Document off unpleasant edges on the cylinders so it won't get on the other portion of the cylinder. Make a point to supplant the move pin when you supplant tubes since they can slacken on account of force stacking. Apply a limited quantity of oil with oil on tubes as this will assist with making slide simpler and to ensure that the oil is appropriated all the more reliably. Ensure drive shaft covers and chains are in defensive and safe condition to forestall mishaps and wounds.
Recycling of Propeller Shafts
Both brand new replacement propeller shafts for passenger vehicles and professionally reconditioned drive shafts are available on the market. When used transmission shafts (most of which will have been damaged) are reconditioned, the old parts are taken back from vehicle garages for professional recycling in special production plants in accordance with the standards set for original equipment. As part of this process, all usable steel parts are reused. The old propeller shafts are inspected, taken apart, cleaned, machined, and then put back together for the car repairs market. Other materials resulting from the reconditioning process (old grease, metal chips or worn steel parts, for example) are disposed of in the correct and proper way in accordance with applicable environmental guidelines. Recycling significantly reduces the consumption of both raw materials and energy and makes a significant contribution to the active protection of the environment.
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