This is interesting. As I recall the first Lexus was designed so that the drive
system was a straight line from the gearbox output shaft to the differential -
so as to minimise vibration
This suggests that either the engine or, more likely, gearbox output shaft is
offset to one side of the car, or...?
>Actually if you stop to think about it a little, its quite clear why this
>is done. There is nothing mounted off center per say. The pinion gear
>by its operating nature is offset in the differential in every differential
>of this type. The diff IS mounted centrally in the car so that the axles
>are the same length (cheaper to use the same part) and since the diff is
>centered with respect to the frame, then the centerline of the pinion is
>offset. The driveshaft has u-joints to allow just this type of angular
>offset and in fact will work better and last longer with a slight offset
>since the bearings inside the cups actually roll around instead of being
>static as they would if aligned perfectly. So you see its perfectly
>logical to allow the angular placement of the driveshaft straightening
>it out would accomplish nothing except to cost more, and have the joints
>wear out faster
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