<VV> Corvair half shafts...

[JVHRoberts@aol.com]

For the same strength and stiffness, a hollow tube is MUCH lighter than a 
solid shaft. Also, the much larger weld area makes for more reliable 
manufacturing. I also suspect it's because GM had plenty of manufacturing expertise in 
making driveshafts this way. 
Although the rotational inertia of a solid shaft would be less, the inertia 
of the tubular design is so low, I doubt anyone could measure any appreciable 
difference in performance. In fact, there's more performance to be gained by 
the tubular shafts' lighter weight than by a pair of solid shafts' lower 
inertia. 

In a message dated 10/30/2004 9:24:35 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
cash.case@sbcglobal.net writes:
Anyone have any idea why the corvair half shafts were as big as they 
are? Why didn't they use a single small solid shaft like what is use 
now and in Bugs and porsches back then. Wouldn't a smaller shaft spin 
easier or am I just a physics retard?