CHASSIS MODIFICATIONS 2-24 E URO C ARGO E URO 4 - 5 The greater thickness of the tube depends on the class, i.e. on the torque that the original shaft has to transmit and on the design of the driveline (torque, ratios of kinematic chain, power axle load). A reference value for the thickness of the tube of a general validity cannot be given. When, for example, a tube of a larger diameter is to be used, its thickness should theoretically be reduced until the torsional strength of the original tube is achieved. It should however be noted that, to determine the thickness of the tube, the following points are to be taken into account:
the size of the male element of the fork, the possible necessity of adapters and the sizes of the tubes available. Therefore the thickness of the tube should be agreed upon as each occasion arises with the workshops authorised by the manufacturers of the transmission shaft depending on its dimensions (i.e. size of the universal joint). The minimum operating length (from flange to flange) must not fall below 800 mm for the sliding sections and 700 mm for the intermediate sections. 2.8.8.2 Determining Driveshaft Positions In the case of drive line which consist of several segments, the individual shafts must all be approximately of the same length.
As a general rule, the difference in length between a non sliding and a splined shaft (see Figure 2.8) must not exceed 600 mm. The difference in length between the shafts must not be more than 400 mm. A margin of at least 25 mm must be left so that the sliding joint can travel when the splined shaft is closed. When fully extended the shaft sliding sleeve should coverthe splined stub fora length that should be about twice the diameter of the splined stub itself. When the required length of the drive line exceeds the permissible length, an additional driven shaft must be provided as illustrated in Figure 2.8.
Figure 2.8 From 0 ° to ± 1 ° 91451 1 Engine, clutch, gearbox axis 2 Intermediate shaft (non sliding) 3 Intermediate shaft support 4 Propeller shaft with sliding end 5 Inclination of rear axle case (static load) 6 Inclination of rear axle case (max. compression) 7 Inclination of rear axle case (unladen) 8 Intermediate shaft and axle case axis must have the same inclination Base - July 2006 Revi - June 2007 Print 603.93.431