Aluminum vs steel driveshaft.

bock · Apr 3, 2006

IS the alu ds is strong as a steel one?

Im a drag racer.

Roland69 · Apr 4, 2006

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.

5spd GT · Apr 4, 2006

I heard they were stronger...

I have one, didn't notice a lick of difference except more rubbing

jmd2914 · Apr 4, 2006

more rubbing? what does it rub on?

onefstsnake · Apr 4, 2006

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.

onefstsnake · Apr 4, 2006

jmd2914 said:
more rubbing? what does it rub on?

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.

5spd GT · Apr 4, 2006

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.

dragnazz5.0 · Apr 4, 2006

the aluminum is actually weaker than the steel one...but it flexes more. it allows more twisting than a steel one does.

HISSIN50 · Apr 4, 2006

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).

90bronconate · Apr 4, 2006

onefstsnake said:
Not sure what type of metal the Steel one is made out of.

huh?

90bronconate · Apr 4, 2006

HISSIN50 said:
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).

are you saying that the gain of weight saved is nixxed by the increased tangential speed from a larger radius?

302RollinHard · Apr 4, 2006

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.

jrichker · Apr 4, 2006

The SOP meter registers a null force on the application of rotational torque when aluminum is compared to steel...

srothfuss · Apr 4, 2006

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

Mustang5L5 · Apr 4, 2006

HISSIN50 said:
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).

Ohhh...very well put.

bock · Apr 4, 2006

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...

5spd GT · Apr 4, 2006

Edited

SM0k3 · Apr 4, 2006

5spd GT said:
bock - Then it's not your driveshaft if it is "not in gear"...

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.

5spd GT · Apr 4, 2006

smok3 - Your right, I just woke up and wasn't thinking... I will edit...

bock · Apr 4, 2006

i read that the alu ds help eliminate vibration

Aluminum vs steel driveshaft.

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