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Old 11-05-2010, 10:57 AM   #19
Keith Seymore
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,167
Re: Why a 2 piece driveshaft?

The "critical speed" post is correct.

What you guys might be missing is that propshaft critical speed not just based on wheelbase but is also based on trans type (length), rear axle ratio, tire size, and engine type (larger engines allowing a higher top speed).

So - a long wheelbase truck with a low (numerical) rear axle ratio spins the shaft slower and might get a one piece, but an otherwise comparable truck with a high rear axle ratio might get a two piece.

One other comment - critical speed is not directly related to balance, but rigidity. When the shaft exceeds it's critical speed it begins to bow in the middle and swing like a jump rope. Hence the disturbance and durability concerns.

K
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Last edited by Keith Seymore; 11-05-2010 at 02:35 PM.
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