DRIVE SHAFT AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING DRIVE SHAFT

摘要

Provided is a drive shaft, which is capable of suppressing an outer-diameter size of an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint and achieving weight reduction, without an increase of the number of components and assembly man hours. The drive shaft includes: an outboard-side constant velocity universal joint (41) ; an inboard-side constant velocity universal joint (42) ; and a torque transmission shaft (43) for coupling both of the constant velocity universal joints (41, 42) . Each of the constant velocity universal joints 41, 42) is a plunging type constant -velocity universal joint including: an outer joint member (53, 103) ; an inner joint member (56, 106); and a torque transmitting member. The inner joint member (56, 106) includes an inner-race forming portion (72, 122) housed in the outer joint member (53, 103) . A shaft forming portion (73, 123) is provided continuously and integrally with the inner-race forming portion (72, 122) . The shaft forming portion (73) of the outboard-side constant velocity universal joint (41) and the shaft forming portion (123) of the inboard-side constant velocity universal joint (42) are bonded in a manner of being fitted against each other.