2 piece drive shaft

[14x7]

Can anyone explain why Studebaker used the 2 piece driveshaft ,in their 1953 thru whatever year they stopped making them?

[warrlaw1]

Just a guess, but I assume it was to allow for proper alignment after that spacer was put in at the transmission. The car could be set up for either left or right hand drive and the position of the spacer allowed clearance for the steering box. Other makes had more than one hanger bearing (e.g. Cadillac).

[Roscomacaw]

It was '47 thru '57 (at least in postwar cars) and it was likely to achieve flatter floorboards.


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1963 Cruiser
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door

[Jeff_H]

Biggs has it. The longer a driveshaft is, the larger diameter it must be for high speed stability. Also, when the rear axle rises over a bump, the shaft does too and thus needs more clearance room farther to the front for a 1 pc vs 2 pc setup. Put both of those together and you can have a smaller tunnel hump in the floor, especially in the back seat, for a 2 pc design. The trade-off is there are more parts; bearings, U-joints, etc so its more expensive to make and assemble.

Jeff in ND

'53 Champion Hardtop

[StreetRodConcepts]

To get a one piece driveshaft that long, it would need to be around 4" in diameter for strength (just put one in my brothers 08 mustang, went from a heavy 2 piece to a 4" alum.).....also, with the short yoke in the transmissions, there was no way to add a slip yoke, but with a 2 piece, a slip yoke was possible. just my 2 cents

[Invalid User Name]

I prefer the Studebaker design to the old Chevrolet. I think they had a solid driveshaft inside a tube if I remember right.

Doug

Venice, Florida
1950 Champion 9G F1

[Roscomacaw]

Doug, believe it or not, AMC used that torque-tube arrangement right thru 1966 on their full-sized Rammers. What's even more amazing is that all forward thrust is carried by the 4 motor mounts![:0] Ask me what happens when all 4 motor mounts are compromized and you step on the gas from a standstill.[xx(]

BTW: I believe the Chicken Hawk used the original 2-piece driveshaft all along. If not ALL along, for most of it's racing career.


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1963 Cruiser
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door

[Johnnywiffer]

If the 2-piece driveshaft allows a lower hump in the floor, how come the Automatic had such a hellacious front hump and the Flight-O didn't?

The middle front passenger in a '50-'55 automatic almost had to put a cushion between their knees and their chin to keep from jarring their teeth out. [)] If she was wearing a skirt, passing airline pilots could almost see if your GF was wearing her unmentionables. Not to mention the guys at the full-service stations! [:O]

John

[Roscomacaw]

Ah yes! I remember fighting with the other kid workin' the pumps when a good-lookin' customer drove up![:X][:I]


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1963 Cruiser
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door