A long, balanced metal tube or shaft equipped with universal joints that transfers rotational power from the gearbox output shaft to the rear axle differential. It spans the length of the vehicle undercarriage in rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive layouts. Maintaining its balance is critical to prevent severe driveline vibrations at highway speeds.
Heard on the job
You need to mark the flanges before you drop the propeller shaft so you don't mess up the factory balance when you bolt it back up.
Also heard as
- prop shaft
- driveshaft
Do not mix it up with
- Half shaft: A propeller shaft runs lengthwise down the vehicle to the differential, while a half-shaft runs transversely from the differential to the wheel.