Drive Shaft To Prop Shaft Linkage

[Guest Paul94]

Another simple question from someone without an automotive entering background....

 

Having installed both rear drive shafts, I can understand why they can (almost) independently rotate. This is the main purpose of the differential and allows one wheel to move at a different speed to the other so you can go around corners. What I didn't expect was that turning the prop shaft did not turn the drive shafts. It rotated freely and seemingly had no effect on the drive shafts. I was expecting some sort of direct linkage.

Is this normal, or do I have a problem with the diff?

Paul94

 

[agent_zed]

if you have both wheels on the floor and push it forward and back the prop should turn!

 

If you have one wheel off the floor and you turn the prop then the wheel off the ground should turn.

 

If it don't then something ain't right?!

 

hth

[Grim]

did the diff and shafts come as one? is it physically possible to put a small shaft in a larger hole? (open question)

[Guest snotfart]

great film,thanks for posting.

[Guest zoomzoom]

Turning the prop should turn at least 1 of the drive shafts, check the drive shafts are fully inserted

[Guest Paul94]

Thanks for the U tube clip Richard. I watched it and a couple of others that the nice U tube browser suggested for me. I think I now have a basic understanding of how a diff works. Isn't it satisfying to learn new things. Regarding my problem: I found that the near side drive shaft was not fully engaged Doh!!

Thanks all for you helpful suggestions.

Paul94

[agent_zed]

glad it was a simple fix. diffs still boggle my mind. i understand the principles but if i try and follow it round in my head it just doesn't make sense

[sj-bradley]

Diffs I can understand. It's the automatic geaboxes and overdrives that are tricky

 

Even LSDs I find a bit hard ...

 

It amazes me how anyone thought these up in the first place

 

Simon.