A propeller shaft includes an outer ring member having a bottom section through which a vent hole is formed, on a first end part connected to a shaft member. The propeller shaft further includes an inner ring member provided to the inner peripheral side of a second end part of the outer ring member on the side axially opposite to the first end part and connected to a rod member; a ball member between the inner and outer ring members, which is lubricated by grease; a plate member attached to the inner peripheral part of the outer ring member and forming an auxiliary chamber with the bottom section; and a communication path. The communication path allows communication between the first end part side and the second end part side of the outer ring member with the plate member interposed therebetween.

A propeller shaft includes an outer ring member having a bottom section through which a vent hole is formed, on a first end part connected to a shaft member. The propeller shaft further includes an inner ring member provided to the inner peripheral side of a second end part of the outer ring member on the side axially opposite to the first end part and connected to a rod member; a ball member between the inner and outer ring members, which is lubricated by grease; a plate member attached to the inner peripheral part of the outer ring member and forming an auxiliary chamber with the bottom section; and a communication path. The communication path allows communication between the first end part side and the second end part side of the outer ring member with the plate member interposed therebetween.

A shaft connection 1 for a longitudinal shaft assembly, has at least a first shaft having a first and second ends, and a second shaft, disposed so as to be coaxial with the first shaft, having first and second ends; the shafts extending axially. The first end forms a hollow portion. The first shaft end forms a first journal having a displacement portion. The first shaft end at least in an initial position of the shaft connection extends through the hollow portion which axially by the displacement portion forms a guide portion and circumferentially forms a form-fitting first connection. In the initial position a mutual axial displacement of the first and second shafts is prevented by an axial securing feature. In a crash the axial securing feature; is releasable by an axial release force. The first shaft is axially displaceable relative to the second shaft.

A forging apparatus includes an ironing mechanism and a phase alignment mechanism. The ironing mechanism includes: a punch set, which is fitted into a cylindrical portion of a pre-processing material to be formed into the outer joint member, and is radially expandable and contractible, the cylindrical portion having grooves formed in an inner peripheral surface thereof; and a die having a hole into which the cylindrical portion is press-fitted. The phase alignment mechanism is configured to align phases of the grooves in the inner peripheral surface of the pre-processing material and phases of track groove portion forming surfaces of the punch set with each other before the pre-processing material is fitted to the punch set.

A forging apparatus includes an ironing mechanism and a phase alignment mechanism. The ironing mechanism includes: a punch set, which is fitted into a cylindrical portion of a pre-processing material to be formed into the outer joint member, and is radially expandable and contractible, the cylindrical portion having grooves formed in an inner peripheral surface thereof; and a die having a hole into which the cylindrical portion is press-fitted. The phase alignment mechanism is configured to align phases of the grooves in the inner peripheral surface of the pre-processing material and phases of track groove portion forming surfaces of the punch set with each other before the pre-processing material is fitted to the punch set.

A drive axle assembly includes a wheel bearing mounted to an axle housing, a shaft assembly including a first shaft on an inboard side thereof to which a driving force of a power train is transmitted, and a second shaft on an outboard side thereof which is shaft-connected to the inside of the axle housing by a constant-velocity joint and is separably assembled to the first shaft, and a boot assembly including a first end portion fixed to an external ring of the wheel bearing and a second end portion assembled to the shaft assembly to be rotatable relative to the shaft assembly, and configured to restrict rotation of the boot and prevent foreign substances from being introduced therein.

A drive axle assembly includes a wheel bearing mounted to an axle housing, a shaft assembly including a first shaft on an inboard side thereof to which a driving force of a power train is transmitted, and a second shaft on an outboard side thereof which is shaft-connected to the inside of the axle housing by a constant-velocity joint and is separably assembled to the first shaft, and a boot assembly including a first end portion fixed to an external ring of the wheel bearing and a second end portion assembled to the shaft assembly to be rotatable relative to the shaft assembly, and configured to restrict rotation of the boot and prevent foreign substances from being introduced therein.

A drivetrain assembly for a motor vehicle including a venting system. The drivetrain assembly includes an output shaft from a vehicle prime moreover component such as a transmission or transaxle. The output shaft is coupled to a propeller shaft through a constant velocity joint (CVJ) assembly. A flexible sealing boot encloses the CVJ between the output shaft and the propeller shaft. Internal components of the CVJ are vented by a first longitudinal passageway exposed to the internal volume of the CVJ extending longitudinally along the output shaft. A second radial passageway joins the longitudinal passageway and extends to the radially outer surface of the output shaft forming a second aperture. The passageways combine to provide pressure equalization between the CVJ internal volume and the atmosphere. An optional semi-permeable membrane may be mounted at the second aperture.

A constant velocity joint includes an external joint part including internal ball tracks, an internal joint part including external ball tracks assigned to the internal ball tracks, and a ball cage holding balls. The external joint part is connectable to a connecting part and sealed by a closure cap on the side facing this connecting part. The internal joint part is an integral internal joint part connected permanently to a shaft piece, sealed on this side towards the external joint part by a flexible sealing element, hardened, and has a protruding welding attachment for an adapter on its free end. The welding attachment outer diameter is larger than the smallest integral internal joint part outer diameter. In a method, the sealing element is mounted over the integral internal joint part free end and connected to the external joint part, the adapter subsequently welded near the welding attachment.

A gaiter (4) for a lubricated joint (1) comprises a sidewall structure (9) defining an enclosure (5) for receiving a lubricant and a passageway (24) for conveying a gas. In use, the passageway (12) conveys gas in isolation from said enclosure (5). Gaiters (4) in accordance with the invention find application in vehicle central tire inflation systems (CTIS).