Square Front Driveshaft Question

[4x4fEvEr]

I'm 100% sure you're wrong.

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=square+driveshaft

i 100% agree with you andrew

my square shaft is buttwelded against the smaller tuber (1310 yoke) and it works great. i have lost the tcase end (double cardan) once on the trail because i was highly stuck and all the torque tore the weld lose (excuse my ability to weld) and produced much carnage.

either way you do it just weld the hell out of it, but id personally go with grinding down the smaller tube and welding it to that.

[NVJEEPER]

now i see what you would mill...just some of the taper. Kewl!
lookin forward to the update!!!

[NVJEEPER]

i 100% agree with you andrew

my square shaft is buttwelded against the smaller tuber (1310 yoke) and it works great. i have lost the tcase end (double cardan) once on the trail because i was highly stuck and all the torque tore the weld lose (excuse my ability to weld) and produced much carnage.

either way you do it just weld the hell out of it, but id personally go with grinding down the smaller tube and welding it to that.

Wow was that a weld let go or the small tube spun in the bigone?

[BRUTUS]

Wow was that a weld let go or the small tube spun in the bigone?

Looks like the small tube spun the big one and ripped 3/4 of the weld off before seperating completely.

[derf]

I know taking it to a driveline shop would be taking the easy way out, but give it some thought. I'm pretty sure you'll have the only square driveshaft in the world; ever wonder why all the others are round? I don't want to sound like a total pessimist, nor am I trying to bash your abilities as a fabricator, but I doubt you will ultimately be happy with this setup.

Never underestimate "redneck engineering".

[BRUTUS]

Never underestimate "redneck engineering".

Ironically enough.. I am a "redneck" by upbringing and a degree'd mechanical "engineer" by trade.

[rustywagoneers_com]

Thomas Edison said, (i am sure this is at least a slight paraphrase)

"this problem is too difficult for the professionals, an amateur will have to solve this"


and remember, trained professionals built the titanic, but the ark was built by one lone wacko...

peace
Dave

[Carl Rasmussen]

I have a question.....
is it really that hard to find round tubing?

[BRUTUS]

I have a question.....
is it really that hard to find round tubing?

Round tubing isn't the issue... it is the splined slip shaft that costs the money... so when you replace the splined slip shaft with off the shelf steel stock... much cheaper.

[4x4fEvEr]

Wow was that a weld let go or the small tube spun in the bigone?

the weld broke lose right where the square tubing is seamed together and the big tube started to peel that little tube off before it broke completely in two. i really need bigger tubing but i couldnt squeeze it in there without rerouting the exhaust and notching the crossmember

[Desert Beast]

I have a question.....
is it really that hard to find round tubing?

for slip and strength.
you ever spec'd out a .250 wall dshaft? (read: $$$)
my buddy just spent 2gs on shafts that will be as strong as my $200 square shafts.

[Slick Willie]

Here's how I see it:

Option 1: Butt weld it - if the weld breaks, you end up with a 2 piece driveshaft.
Option 2: Round off square tubing - if the weld breaks, the shaft will spin inside the yoke, but you will end up with a 2 piece driveshaft.
Option 3: Make the yoke square - if the weld breaks, the shaft will not spin inside the yoke, but you will end up with a 2 piece driveshaft.

Now here's a few key points:

- If the welds break, you're S.O.L., so you better have good welds.
- Option 3 will put less stress on the weld due to the square shape taking some of the torque, allowing the weld to take the rest (vs. all of the torque).
- Option 2 will make the square tube thin where you weld it to the yoke, possibly allowing less strength, but again, it depends on your welds.

So, depending on how much torque you can predict (yeah right), I'd say worry about welding it good. I'd pick 3, 1, 2. Sorry it took so long to just say 3 numbers.

[Dmntxn77]

How about you do both...

Meaning...
Mill the smaller one down to fit inside the yoke, then fill the yoke with weld. Next cut about a 2" piece of the larger tube, and slide it over the smaller tube all the way down to the yoke. Then you can weld the bottom edge of the larger tube to the yoke, and the top edge to the smaller tube. That should give you the best of both worlds. Right??

[BRUTUS]

How about you do both...

Meaning...
Mill the smaller one down to fit inside the yoke, then fill the yoke with weld. Next cut about a 2" piece of the larger tube, and slide it over the smaller tube all the way down to the yoke. Then you can weld the bottom edge of the larger tube to the yoke, and the top edge to the smaller tube. That should give you the best of both worlds. Right??

I had thought about that but the larger tube does not even begin to fit over the yoke.

[Firegoose]

I like the idea of the square tubing for the front drive shaft.....

I'm throwing this idea out there.... my bushhog has a square "solid" inner shaft with a square hollow outside. May be something to think about.