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 slip ball joint includes an outer joint part with an axis of rotation and outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, a plurality of torque-transmitting balls, each guided in associated outer and inner ball tracks, and a cage provided with a plurality of cage windows, which each accommodate each one or more of the balls. The inner joint part can be displaced in relation to the outer joint part by a displacement distance along the axis of rotation. At least a part of the outer ball tracks and at least a part of the inner ball tracks are at a track-helix angle in relation to the axis of rotation. A floor of each ball track, along the displacement path, is spaced apart from the axis of rotation by a respectively constant spacing along a radial direction. A maximum angle of deflection of the inner joint part in relation to the outer joint part is predetermined by an outer contact surface of the cage establishing contact with a first contact surface of the outer joint part and/or by an inner contact surface of the cage establishing contact with a second contact surface of the inner joint part. The cage has a center axis and the inner contact surface is conical. The inner contact surface is at an opening angle of more than 0 degrees in relation to the center axis of the cage.

A constant-velocity slip ball joint includes an outer joint part with an axis of rotation and outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, a plurality of torque-transmitting balls, each guided in associated outer and inner ball tracks, and a cage provided with a plurality of cage windows, which each accommodate each one or more of the balls. The inner joint part can be displaced in relation to the outer joint part by a displacement distance along the axis of rotation. At least a part of the outer ball tracks and at least a part of the inner ball tracks are at a track-helix angle in relation to the axis of rotation. A floor of each ball track, along the displacement path, is spaced apart from the axis of rotation by a respectively constant spacing along a radial direction. A maximum angle of deflection of the inner joint part in relation to the outer joint part is predetermined by an outer contact surface of the cage establishing contact with a first contact surface of the outer joint part and/or by an inner contact surface of the cage establishing contact with a second contact surface of the inner joint part. The cage has a center axis and the inner contact surface is conical. The inner contact surface is at an opening angle of more than 0 degrees in relation to the center axis of the cage.

A joint assembly comprising a hollow outer joint member including a wall forming an open end and a closed end, the outer joint member having a plurality of tracks in its inner surface. An inner joint member received in the outer joint member and plurality of torque-transmitting elements, whereby the plurality of torque-transmitting elements rotationally engage with the inner joint member and the tracks of the outer joint member. Each track comprises two opposing side walls and a torque-transmitting element engages these side walls of the outer joint member and is configured to move in an axial direction along the side walls. Furthermore, a boot covering the open end of the outer joint member and at least one restrictor configured to engage at least one of the plurality of torque-transmitting elements to militate against undesired displacement of the inner joint member with respect to the outer joint member.

A plunging type constant velocity universal joint 1 for a propeller shaft includes an outer joint member 2, an inner joint member 3, eight torque transmitting balls 4, and a cage 5. A center of curvature O1 of a spherical outer surface 12 and a center of curvature O2 of a spherical inner surface 13 of the cage 5 each have an equal and axially opposite offset (f) with respect to a center O3 of pockets 5a. A ratio f/PCD.sub.BALL between the offset (f) of the cage 5 and a pitch circle diameter (PCD.sub.BALL) of the torque transmitting balls 4 is 0.07 or more and 0.09 or less.

A plunging type constant velocity universal joint 1 for a propeller shaft includes an outer joint member 2, an inner joint member 3, eight torque transmitting balls 4, and a cage 5. A center of curvature O1 of a spherical outer surface 12 and a center of curvature O2 of a spherical inner surface 13 of the cage 5 each have an equal and axially opposite offset (f) with respect to a center O3 of pockets 5a. A ratio f/PCD.sub.BALL between the offset (f) of the cage 5 and a pitch circle diameter (PCD.sub.BALL) of the torque transmitting balls 4 is 0.07 or more and 0.09 or less.

A vehicle shaft assembly (500). The shaft assembly includes a coupling assembly having a first (506), a second (508) and a third (510) joint member. A substantially cylindrical body portion of the second joint member is drivingly connected to a first shaft (560) having an increased diameter portion. The increased diameter portion of the first shaft has a retaining member groove (604) circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the increased diameter portion. At least a portion of the increased diameter portion of the first shaft is drivingly connected to a crash collapse adapter (608) having a crash collapse feature circumferentially extending along an inner surface of the crash collapse adapter. A second shaft (640) is integrally connected to at least a portion of an outer surface of the crash collapse adapter (608). At least a portion of a retaining member is disposed within the retaining member groove and the crash collapse feature.

A plunging type constant velocity universal joint includes outer and inner joint members that transmit torque therebetween through intermediation of a ball while allowing angular displacement. The outer joint member is configured to receive an internal component comprising the ball and the inner joint member so that the internal component is slidable in an axial direction. The universal joint also includes a stopper mechanism that has an annular groove, and is configured to restrict axial displacement of the internal component by allowing the ball to interfere with a circlip fitted to the annular groove. The annular groove has a conical surface, which is inclined with respect to an axial direction so that the conical surface and an axial tangent line at a contact point between the ball and the circlip form a wedge angle opened from an opening end portion of the outer joint member toward a far side.

A plunging type constant velocity universal joint includes outer and inner joint members that transmit torque therebetween through intermediation of a ball while allowing angular displacement. The outer joint member is configured to receive an internal component comprising the ball and the inner joint member so that the internal component is slidable in an axial direction. The universal joint also includes a stopper mechanism that has an annular groove, and is configured to restrict axial displacement of the internal component by allowing the ball to interfere with a circlip fitted to the annular groove. The annular groove has a conical surface, which is inclined with respect to an axial direction so that the conical surface and an axial tangent line at a contact point between the ball and the circlip form a wedge angle opened from an opening end portion of the outer joint member toward a far side.

A propeller shaft (1), as a power transmitting shaft, of the present invention is configured such that a snap ring (8) as a retaining ring can be inserted inwards into a first penetration slot (31) formed at a tubular portion body (33) of a tubular portion (30) from a radial direction outer side. With this, good workability of assembly of the snap ring (8) is secured. Further, an engagement-stop state of a second shaft (3) by the snap ring (8) can be visually checked from the outside through the first penetration slot (31), then check of an engagement state by the snap ring (8) can be made.