Half shafts for racing

[classicswede]

Originally Posted by 142 Guy

Volvo speak!

In the parts manual Volvo calls the left and right shafts 'drive shafts' which is not to be confused with the incorrectly labeled drive shaft which Volvo calls the 'propeller shaft'.

While on a semantics binge, a drive shaft is technically just a shaft that transfers rotary motion. A drive shaft which has a U joint at either end to accommodate offset is a cardan shaft (named after Gerolamo Cardano from the 16th century who has a very interesting history for those interested in probability theory as applied to gambling). So, Volvo's use of the term drive shaft for the two things in the back axle is correct and everybody who has been calling the cardan shaft a drive shaft is incorrect. However, semantic drift being what it is ......

US English uses all the wrong words for items and to really confuse things they use words for other items in the drive system! Canada seems to use the same wrong words as where down under they use the correct english in most cases but the high levels of wrong english on the net is polluting real english.

Shaft from gearbox to axle is the propshaft - Europe tends to use Cardan shaft
Shafts inside the axle from diff to wheel are half shafts
External shafts from axle to wheel with CV are drive shafts

[classicswede]

There is a thread on the turbo bricks forum that covers half shafts from some other axles that have a cast flange rather than splines. The incorporated flange is stronger than the taper originally used.

[142 Guy]

Originally Posted by classicswede

US English uses all the wrong words for items and to really confuse things they use words for other items in the drive system! Canada seems to use the same wrong words as where down under they use the correct english in most cases but the high levels of wrong english on the net is polluting real english.

Having had the opportunity to talk to (or more like just listen to) some Yorkshiremen, I don't think the English have a lock on correct semantics or syntax. The residents of the Antipodes also seem to have their own version of semantic drift. Perhaps those qualify as being dialects derived from English as opposed to being English?

[classicswede]

The words used very a lot across the country and that is in part down to the cultural makeup of Brittons, Irish, Pict, Saxon, Jutes, Angles and Danes along with later Norman. Spoken English does vary a huge amount in the Uk regions

[blueosprey90]

Are you building a racecar Markymar? How about a few pics?

I rarely see the vintage Volvo race car, but when I do. I can never pass them.

It must be those B18 and B20 engines!

https://youtu.be/pX_s1ZAGR10?si=ybNFq03b6z6-Nq63

[Bracpan]

Originally Posted by classicswede

The words used very a lot across the country and that is in part down to the cultural makeup of Brittons, Irish, Pict, Saxon, Jutes, Angles and Danes along with later Norman. Spoken English does vary a huge amount in the Uk regions

Not forgetting the Celts and the Scots and Welsh.

I agree with you i have always known the shafts in and "Axle" to be half Shafts and the shafts on a FWD vehicle or independent axle as "Drive shafts"
There have been various upgrades to Half Shafts over the years and many axles. (BMC and Fords for example) There are a few companies in the UK that will make you custom drive shafts of stronger materiel, i have not long bought a pair of Drive shafts from Berrisford so they might be worth a call, but just google for more.