A propeller shaft including a first shaft, a first constant velocity joint drivingly connected with the first shaft, a second shaft, a second constant velocity joint drivingly connected with the second shaft, a connecting shaft drivingly connecting the first constant velocity joint and the second constant velocity joint and a grease cover disposed about an axial end of the second constant velocity joint. The second constant velocity joint is provided with a spring mechanism including a spring, wherein a spring seat of the spring mechanism is positioned on one axial end of the spring and mates with the second shaft, and wherein another axial end of the spring mates with an additional spring seat that is formed in the grease cover of the second constant velocity joint. The second constant velocity joint further comprises a spacer positioned between the spring and the grease cover and attached to the grease cover, wherein the spring has an axial end portion and a reduced diameter portion, and wherein an outer diameter of the reduced diameter portion is less than an outer diameter of the axial end portion.

A propeller shaft including a first shaft, a first constant velocity joint drivingly connected with the first shaft, a second shaft, a second constant velocity joint drivingly connected with the second shaft, a connecting shaft drivingly connecting the first constant velocity joint and the second constant velocity joint and a grease cover disposed about an axial end of the second constant velocity joint. The second constant velocity joint is provided with a spring mechanism including a spring, wherein a spring seat of the spring mechanism is positioned on one axial end of the spring and mates with the second shaft, and wherein another axial end of the spring mates with an additional spring seat that is formed in the grease cover of the second constant velocity joint. The second constant velocity joint further comprises a spacer positioned between the spring and the grease cover and attached to the grease cover, wherein the spring has an axial end portion and a reduced diameter portion, and wherein an outer diameter of the reduced diameter portion is less than an outer diameter of the axial end portion.

A sliding constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member connected to a power transmission member and an inner joint member connected to an end portion of a shaft, for torque transmission between the outer joint member and the inner joint member while allowing an angle change and an axial change therebetween. The outer joint member incorporates therein an elastic member axially expandable/retractable between a tip of the shaft connected to the inner joint member and the outer joint member; the tip of the shaft is provided with a shaft protruding portion for supporting an inner diameter portion of a shaft-side end of the elastic member; the elastic member has its outer-joint-member side end provided with a receptacle for fitting into an inner diameter portion of the elastic member; the outer joint member has its inner surface press-fitted by an end plate; and the receptacle is pressed onto the end plate in the inner surface of the outer joint member.

A sliding constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member connected to a power transmission member and an inner joint member connected to an end portion of a shaft, for torque transmission between the outer joint member and the inner joint member while allowing an angle change and an axial change therebetween. The outer joint member incorporates therein an elastic member axially expandable/retractable between a tip of the shaft connected to the inner joint member and the outer joint member; the tip of the shaft is provided with a shaft protruding portion for supporting an inner diameter portion of a shaft-side end of the elastic member; the elastic member has its outer-joint-member side end provided with a receptacle for fitting into an inner diameter portion of the elastic member; the outer joint member has its inner surface press-fitted by an end plate; and the receptacle is pressed onto the end plate in the inner surface of the outer joint member.

An apparatus for correcting an imbalance in a rotating shaft along with a method for correcting the imbalance in a rotating shaft is identified. The apparatus includes a joint assembly having a first joint member that is drivingly connected to a second joint member by one or more third joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of the first joint member and at least a portion of a second shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second end portion of the second join member. A boot can may be connected to at least a portion of a first end portion of the second joint member. One or more balancing elements may then be connected to at least a portion of the boot can and/or the second joint member of the joint assembly.

An apparatus for correcting an imbalance in a rotating shaft along with a method for correcting the imbalance in a rotating shaft is identified. The apparatus includes a joint assembly having a first joint member that is drivingly connected to a second joint member by one or more third joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of the first joint member and at least a portion of a second shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second end portion of the second join member. A boot can may be connected to at least a portion of a first end portion of the second joint member. One or more balancing elements may then be connected to at least a portion of the boot can and/or the second joint member of the joint assembly.

A constant velocity joint assembly with a crash collapse feature. The constant velocity joint assembly includes an inner race, an outer race, a cage and one or more torque transfer elements. The inner race is drivingly connected to a first shaft and the outer race is connected to a second shaft. Circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an inner surface of the outer race is one or more outer race torque transfer element grooves. One or more crash collapse features circumferentially extend radially inward from at least a portion of the inner surface of the outer race and are disposed directly adjacent to the one or more outer race torque transfer element grooves in the outer race. The one or more crash collapse features are disposed entirely between the one or more outer race torque transfer element grooves and do not extend axially beyond the grooves.

A constant velocity joint assembly with a crash collapse feature. The constant velocity joint assembly includes an inner race, an outer race, a cage and one or more torque transfer elements. The inner race is drivingly connected to a first shaft and the outer race is connected to a second shaft. Circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an inner surface of the outer race is one or more outer race torque transfer element grooves. One or more crash collapse features circumferentially extend radially inward from at least a portion of the inner surface of the outer race and are disposed directly adjacent to the one or more outer race torque transfer element grooves in the outer race. The one or more crash collapse features are disposed entirely between the one or more outer race torque transfer element grooves and do not extend axially beyond the grooves.

A constant velocity joint includes a trunnion extending radially outwardly about a trunnion axis, wherein the trunnion defines a parametric curve at an equatorial plane of the trunnion. The constant velocity joint also includes a ball surrounding the trunnion and rotatable relative thereto about a plurality of needle rollers.

An apparatus for correcting an imbalance in a rotating shaft along with a method for correcting the imbalance in a rotating shaft is identified. The apparatus includes a joint assembly having a first joint member that is drivingly connected to a second joint member by one or more third joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of the first joint member and at least a portion of a second shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second end portion of the second join member. A boot can may be connected to at least a portion of a first end portion of the second joint member. One or more balancing elements may then be connected to at least a portion of the boot can and/or the second joint member of the joint assembly.