What is Driveshaft?
{{more sources | date = February 2014 }} [[File:Cardan Shaft.jpg|thumb|200px|Cardan drive shaft with universal joints]] [[File:R51-plunger.jpg|thumb|200px|Exposed drive shaft on a classic [[BMW|BMW motorcycle]]]] A '''driveshaft''', '''drive shaft''', '''driving shaft''', '''propeller shaft''', or '''Cardan shaft''' is a part of a [[machine]] that takes [[power (physics)|power]] from the [[engine]] or [[motor]] to a place where useful [[Mechanical work|work]] can be done. Most engines or motors create power as [[torque]] by making something rotate. This can be from an [[internal combustion engine]] (as in a [[vehicle|car]]), [[water]] driving a [[water wheel]], or gas or water going through a [[turbine]]. This rotating power is called [[torque]]. The [[load]] that is turned creates [[torsion (mechanics)|torsion]] and [[shear stress]]. Drive shafts need to be strong enough to take this stress. A light drive shaft will more efficiently move the power to the load, so there needs to be a balance between strength and weight. ==Automobiles== Most [[automobile]]s today use drive shafts to deliver power from the engine to the wheels. Most cars made today are front wheel drive (the front wheels have the power to move the car). In this case, the drive shafts are between the transaxle and each front wheels. In rear wheel drive cars, there are drive shafts between the [[differential]] and each rear wheel. There is also a drive shaft running the length of the car, from the [[transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] up front to the differential in the back - in [[British English]] this is not called a drive shaft, but a '''propeller shaft''', or '''prop-shaft''', and the drive shafts may be called half shafts (since there are two that make one [[axle]]). [[File:Universal joints shaft.jpg|thumb|250px| A truck double propeller shaft]] There are different types of drive shafts used in automobiles: * 1 piece drive shaft * 2 piece drive shaft * Slip in Tube drive shaft The Slip in Tube Drive shaft is the new type which h