Alfa Romeo Rubber Donut

[gwnorth68]

In the Sept issue of Classics Motorsports there is an article on improving the suspension bushings, etc, in an Alfa Giulietta/Duetto Spyder. One photo shows a rubber donut in the driveshaft. A phone call to the supplier indicates that the dimensions are close to the Elan donut. Does anyone have any info/experience with this Italian donut relative to an Elan? Couldn't find anything in the archives.

[CBUEB1771]

Tom,
I can't answer your question directly but keep in mind that anything designed to go into a drive shaft only has to handle something on the order of one quarter to one third of the torque going to the axles.

[billwill]

Tom,
I can't answer your question directly but keep in mind that anything designed to go into a drive shaft only has to handle something on the order of one quarter to one third of the torque going to the axles.

I don't see how you conclude that?

I would presume at least half the torque on the straight and more when going around a bend.

Plus: don't forget the reverse torque imposed when you use engine braking.

[johnsimister]

Divided by a common language... in the US and Canada I believe a driveshaft is what we Brits call a propeller shaft, and not what we call a driveshaft which is what goes from diff to wheel.


The Alfa doughnut is on the prop(eller) shaft, so has to cope with rather less torque than an Elan doughnut must transmit. Diff ratio divided by two (because the torque is spread across two wheels fairly evenly unless there's an LSD) is still much more than one. I suspect the Alfa coupling wouldn't cope.

John

[CBUEB1771]

Divided by a common language...

John,
Thanks for translation. I knew that in my haste to respond I might create confusion. Axle was definitely a poor choice of words as this is not applied to independent suspensions on either side of the pond.