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Figure 5-1.Drive line assembly.DRIVE SHAFTSThe drive shaft, also called a propeller shaft, iscommonly a hollow steel tube with

yoke(s) welded onthe end. The tubular design makes the drive shaftstrong and light. Most vehicles use a single, one-piece drive
shaft. However, many trucks have a two-piecedrive shaft. This cuts the length of each shaft to avoid
drive line vibration.Since a drive shaft spins at full engine t-pm in highgear, it must be straight and perfectly balanced (weightevenly
distributed around center line of shaft). If NOTbalanced, the shaft can vibrate violently. To prevent
this vibration, drive shaft balancing weights arewelded to the shaft at the factory. Small metal weights are attached to the light
side to counteract the heavyside for smooth operation.The drive shaft can be either open or enclosed,depending on the type of
drive used. The HOTCHKISSdrive has an open drive shaft that operates a rear axleassembly mounted on springs (fig. 5-2).
The