A constant velocity universal joint has an outer joint member and an inner joint member that transmits torque while permitting angular displacement due to balls between the inner and outer joint members. An attaching and detaching mechanism for attaching and detaching a power transmission shaft to and from the inner joint member is provided between the inner joint member and the power transmission shaft such that torque can be transmitted between the two. The attaching and detaching mechanism has a cylindrical member that fits over the power transmission shaft, a retaining ring that is radially movable, and an annular member that is axially movable. By using a boot band to fixedly tighten, to the power transmission shaft, a small diameter end portion of a boot closing an opening portion of the outer joint member, the axial position of the annular member is restricted by the small diameter end portion.

Provided is a plunging type constant velocity universal joint (2) comprising an outer joint member (21), an inner joint member (22), eight balls (23), and a cage (24). A curvature center (O.sub.24b) of a spherical portion (24b) of an outer peripheral surface of the cage (24) and a curvature center (O.sub.24d) of a spherical portion (24d) of an inner peripheral surface of the cage (24) are offset to opposite sides in the axial direction with respect to a joint center (O(s)) by an equal distance. A ratio PCD.sub.BALL/D.sub.BALL of a pitch circle diameter PCD.sub.BALL of the balls (23) to a diameter D.sub.BALL of each of the balls (23) is set from 3.3 to 3.6. A ratio T.sub.I/D.sub.BALL of a radial thickness T.sub.I of the inner joint member (22) to the diameter D.sub.BALL of each of the balls (23) is set from 0.30 to 0.45.

A rear-wheel drive shaft (1) includes a fixed type constant velocity universal joint (3), a plunging type constant velocity universal joint (2), and an intermediate shaft (4) coupling both the constant velocity universal joints to each other. A ratio (PCD.sub.BALL (f)/D.sub.BALL (f)) of a pitch circle diameter (PCD.sub.BALL (f)) of balls (33) of the fixed type constant velocity universal joint (3) to a diameter (D.sub.BALL(f)) of each of the balls (33) is set from 3.70 to 3.87. A ratio (PCD.sub.BALL(s)/D.sub.BALL(s)) of a pitch circle diameter (PCD.sub.BALL(s)) of balls (23) of the plunging type constant velocity universal joint (2) to a diameter (D.sub.BALL(s)) of each of the balls (23) is set from 3.3 to 3.6.

A rear-wheel drive shaft (1) includes a fixed type constant velocity universal joint (3), a plunging type constant velocity universal joint (2), and an intermediate shaft (4) coupling both the constant velocity universal joints to each other. A ratio (PCD.sub.BALL (f)/D.sub.BALL (f)) of a pitch circle diameter (PCD.sub.BALL (f)) of balls (33) of the fixed type constant velocity universal joint (3) to a diameter (D.sub.BALL(f)) of each of the balls (33) is set from 3.70 to 3.87. A ratio (PCD.sub.BALL(s)/D.sub.BALL(s)) of a pitch circle diameter (PCD.sub.BALL(s)) of balls (23) of the plunging type constant velocity universal joint (2) to a diameter (D.sub.BALL(s)) of each of the balls (23) is set from 3.3 to 3.6.

The invention provides a grease composition for constant velocity joints, which contains (a) a base oil, (b) a diurea thickener, (c) benzotriazole and/or a derivative thereof, and (d) a phosphate and/or an amine salt thereof; and a constant velocity joint where the grease composition is packed.

The invention provides a grease composition for constant velocity joints, which contains (a) a base oil, (b) a diurea thickener, (c) benzotriazole and/or a derivative thereof, and (d) a phosphate and/or an amine salt thereof; and a constant velocity joint where the grease composition is packed.

A bent-axis hydraulic pump motor includes: a cylinder block, a retainer plate; and a constant velocity joint, which includes an inner joint element; an outer joint element; and a plurality of balls interposed between block-side ball grooves and shaft-side ball grooves to transmit torque between the cylinder block and the retainer plate, so that all block-side groove planes, which include respective extending axial lines of the block-side ball grooves and the inclined rotation center, are inclined with respect to an axial center of a center shaft and all drive shaft-side groove planes, which include respective extending axial lines of the shaft-side ball grooves and the inclined rotation center, are inclined with respect to an axial center of a drive shaft such that loads applied to a cage in an axial direction from the balls are balanced.

A bent-axis hydraulic pump motor includes: a cylinder block, a retainer plate; and a constant velocity joint, which includes an inner joint element; an outer joint element; and a plurality of balls interposed between block-side ball grooves and shaft-side ball grooves to transmit torque between the cylinder block and the retainer plate, so that all block-side groove planes, which include respective extending axial lines of the block-side ball grooves and the inclined rotation center, are inclined with respect to an axial center of a center shaft and all drive shaft-side groove planes, which include respective extending axial lines of the shaft-side ball grooves and the inclined rotation center, are inclined with respect to an axial center of a drive shaft such that loads applied to a cage in an axial direction from the balls are balanced.

A joint assembly having a first joint member drivingly connected to a second joint member via a third joint member. The second joint member has a shaft portion extending from an intermediate portion of the second joint member. A plurality of shaft portion splines circumferentially extend from the outer surface of the shaft portion. At least a portion of a second end portion of the plurality of shaft portion splines includes an installation aid having a first end, a transition portion and a second end. The installation aid further includes a first portion from the first end to the transition portion and a second portion from the transition portion to the second end of the installation aid. An outermost diameter of the plurality of shaft portion splines of the first and/or the second portion of the installation aid is defined by a radius from a centerline of the joint assembly.

A center bearing assembly for a multi-piece propeller shaft includes a stud yoke extending along an axis A between first and second stud yoke ends to define a central stub shaft rotatable about the axis A. A rotatable weld collar is operably connected to the second stud yoke end of the central stub shaft for simultaneous rotation therewith. The rotatable weld collar includes a body extending from a first collar end disposed adjacent the central stub shaft to a second collar end to define an exterior surface. A tuned damper extends radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the rotatable weld collar for reducing noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH) generated during operation of the multi-piece propeller shaft. A first shaft segment is operably connected to the rotatable weld collar and a second shaft segment is operably connected to the stud yoke for transferring a rotational force therebetween.