Aluminum vs steel driveshaft.
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Roland69
Sergeant Tangnet
Stronger I've seen steel ones that broke and look like a giant drill bit. I have aluminum D/S in my truck and they hold up well.
onefstsnake
New Member
Im sure it has to do with the type of metals used.
I know the Ford DS is 6061 RT62 Aluminum.
The Aluminum DS is also alot lighter which makes for alot less rotating mass.
Not sure what type of metal the Steel one is made out of.
Little info on the 6061-
Ultimate Tensile Strength: 45000PSI
Shear Strength: 30000PSI
More here
http://matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MA6061T6
Id go with the Aluminum DS, I love mine.
I know the Ford DS is 6061 RT62 Aluminum.
The Aluminum DS is also alot lighter which makes for alot less rotating mass.
Not sure what type of metal the Steel one is made out of.
Little info on the 6061-
Ultimate Tensile Strength: 45000PSI
Shear Strength: 30000PSI
More here
http://matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MA6061T6
Id go with the Aluminum DS, I love mine.
onefstsnake
New Member
jmd2914 said:
Mine rubs a little on the parking brake cable. But the cable is covered in rubber hose and really doesnt hurt anything.
The aluminum DS also comes very close to the mufflers since its much bigger than the stock DS.
I have saggy shocks in the bag...enough where the wider Aluminum driveshaft start making it rub on the e-brake brackets under acceleration or when there is a load in the back (passengers).
It is covered in rubber, but it makes the driveshaft look like a mess and also 'drags' along it which slows you down.
The weight is minimum. Maybe a 6lb differene or something:s Anyways, I didn't notice any difference, I think I have a pretty decent sotp's feel as well.
It is covered in rubber, but it makes the driveshaft look like a mess and also 'drags' along it which slows you down.
The weight is minimum. Maybe a 6lb differene or something:s Anyways, I didn't notice any difference, I think I have a pretty decent sotp's feel as well.
dragnazz5.0
My "0" key d0esn't w0rk, s0 I have t0 use the zer0
the aluminum is actually weaker than the steel one...but it flexes more. it allows more twisting than a steel one does.
The Alum DS is about .5" greater in diameter, IIRC.
Remember too that in terms of anticipating a SOTP gain, the alum piece, though lighter, has mass where none existed with the stocker (ergo a slight offset due to a shifted Moment).
Remember too that in terms of anticipating a SOTP gain, the alum piece, though lighter, has mass where none existed with the stocker (ergo a slight offset due to a shifted Moment).
302RollinHard
New Member
ahhhhh here we go again. I too would think that the perceived benefits of the lower moment of inertia of the aluminum drive shaft would in fact be somewhat offset by the increased cross-sectional diameter and area of the aluminum---right on HISSIN50.
srothfuss
Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row
This is total theory here:
The bennifit to aluminum is the weight reduction. However, since aluminum is a weaker material the wall stock needs to be increased as well as the diameter of the tube to compinsate for the drawbacks.
The steel shaft does weigh a bit more, but it's also smaller in diameter so it requires more power to keep it rotating [inertia.] This means that most steel shafts can form a 'whip' in the middle from it's small diameter. This results in vibrations at speed that can really mess up the drive line....
No SOTP will be noticed. But there could be some slight MPG improvements on the highway due to the greater inertia of the aluminum shaft
The bennifit to aluminum is the weight reduction. However, since aluminum is a weaker material the wall stock needs to be increased as well as the diameter of the tube to compinsate for the drawbacks.
The steel shaft does weigh a bit more, but it's also smaller in diameter so it requires more power to keep it rotating [inertia.] This means that most steel shafts can form a 'whip' in the middle from it's small diameter. This results in vibrations at speed that can really mess up the drive line....
No SOTP will be noticed. But there could be some slight MPG improvements on the highway due to the greater inertia of the aluminum shaft
My real problem is vibration 
I have tried 2 different DS and it still vibrate.
Feel like coming from the rear end...
really vibrate from 75-80 mph and up... in gear or not...
I have tried 2 different DS and it still vibrate.
Feel like coming from the rear end...
really vibrate from 75-80 mph and up... in gear or not...
SM0k3
Founding Member
5spd GT said:
why you say that? I had the same problem even when it wasnt in gear, new DS fixed that problem. The DS is still turning even when not in gear...as long as the car is rolling the DS is turning just not with as much direct inertia.
I will edit...
