<VV> Re: half shaft size

[djtcz@comcast.net]

> Subject: RE: Corvair half shafts... 
> Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 11:56:08 -0400 
> 
> You don't tell us anything about the car you're describing (year, model, 
> engine, etc.), but I know the halfshafts on the late models are like you 
> describe and (what you may not know) the shafts on the early models are 
> small-diameter solid shafts. 
> In view of this, I favor John Ryall's explanation that the late-model 
> shafts bear suspension loads (which they do). The early-model shafts do not 
> bear suspension loads. Obviously, both types of shaft are about the same 
> length, and carry similar torsional loads. 

I think it is partly or even mostly as a manufacturing convenience to use Cardan/Hooke type u-joints.

The tension/compression load the half-shaft bears during cornering is about half as much as the solid and bent lower link.