Delrin drive shaft support

[JShadzi at aol.com]

Syl, you bring up a valid point, and not one I did not ignore in the design 
or testing of the initial prototype.  You are right, there is a lot of 
movement going on.  I am not sure your simple analysis totally explains what 
is really happening, and I am not necessarily qualified to do an 
engineering-type analysis, but let me tell you how I feel comfortable 
offering it to other list members.  

First off, an ex-Audisport technician I worked with at Eurospec built and 
designed the  aluminum center bearings for the Trans-Am and IMSA cars.  He 
claimed that there was no failure due to the scenario that you describe.  
Granted, the race cars have solid mounted drivetrains, but they are not 
without their flex either, and the rigors and forces of racing did not prove 
detrimental to the solid mounting.

Secondly, he built a Delrin unit for a few of his cars, one of which was a V8 
quattro and has been driving on the street for over a year with no problems, 
and we have checked it periodically from time to time.  

This is a part that I am having a prod. run made of because to have just one 
made for myself would be much more expensive.  For a total cost of about $80, 
I believe it is a very good upgrade that will prevent future center bearing 
failure and misalignment.

HTH,
Javad

In a message dated 2/15/2001 6:56:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
syljay at optonline.net writes:


> 
> Is my analysis off-base?
> 
> I've re-built two driveshafts already, and I hate parting with $180 for a
> center bearing when I may be able to put one together for much less. No, its
> not that I'm cheap . . . I just have an attitude problem with overpriced
> parts.     :-)
> 


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