Can someone please explain to me: Open drive vs Closed drive rear

This doesn't seem to be a problem, perhaps the angle is not great enough, or maybe they use some kind of constant velocity joint. I have had torque tube cars but never replaced any U joints so can't say for sure what they have.

 

In the first place, Merriam-Webster, the dictionary people, say that ‘invoke’ means (a**** various similar definitions ) “to refer to something in support of your ideas”. Your statement above “I used Smokey as an example of......” pretty much fits that criteria. There is no argument there.

My point was simply that people of Smokey’s caliber are rare enough that to use him as an example of expertise that a newbie poster might represent is something that is not very likely to occur..

In the second place, my statement in reference to the nature of the majority of initial posts by new members, is that they are far more often posts asking for help with a problem they have than they are offering solutions to a question posed by another member.

Both types of posts are made by ‘low post count’ members, but my observation has been that ‘questions’ outnumber ‘answers’ by a substantial majority. To borrow your phrase...” That seems pretty clear and very simple”. And, further, I agree with your self ***essment that “So I guess I do not understand your statement...”. Again, there is no argument there.

 

I have owned and worked on torque tube Chevys, Ford’s and Buicks. In all instances their u-joints were conventional yoke and cross joints......not CV.

Most early 4x4 vehicles I have both owned and observed used enclosed CV joints in the steering knuckles on the front axles. Their design was similar to enclosed driveshafts (except for joint type) and required a sealed joint enclosure to retain the lubricant. Predictably, they leaked after a time. Eventually the 4x4 axle designers adopted the non-CV conventional u-joints which ran exposed and eliminated the lube reservoir, seals and leaks. The conventional single u-joints in the steering axles posed the same issue with joint acceleration/deceleration when in a turn as the torque tube driveline but seemingly was ignored with no consequence in either case.

 

Well, old post or not, I learned something today.

 

AMC kept using the design into the mid sixties

 

I prefer it when old posts are added to with new information rather than start a new thread. I just have issues with myself when I don't notice that it is an old thread

 

I have not had every torque tube rear ever made open. The ones I have had open have had a U joint on the transmission end only. They have to flex somewhere and that is where they flex. They don't need a U joint on the differential end because the rear and the driveshaft travel up and down as a unit.

The need for U joints on either end could be completely eliminated if one were to make the motor mounts the pivot point, or if the axle traveled and the differential were stationary. But why overcomplicate the discussion, right?

 

I am sure the original post date was missed like the poster is now

 

I think you mean low diff ratios. I would have loved my old British Ford Zephyr auto to have had a high-geared diff (preferably with four gears, as the gearing in low (1st) gear in the standard setup was perfect for instant acceleration). Despite what they say, even short-stroke motors sound desperate when driven at high revs on freeways. I found a cheap way out by fitting even taller than standard bias-ply tires.

 

I did the same, although I think the trend was probably started back on the dry lakes in the ‘30’s……….…..