Method of forming tubing around a tube seal in a vehicular driveshaft assembly

摘要

A method of forming a slip joint (24) includes providing a forming mandrel (30) having a plurality of axially extending external splines (32), placing an inner tube (12) circumferentially about the mandrel (30), and applying radially inward pressure on the inner tube to deform the inner tube (12) and cause it to conform to the shape of the mandrel (30). The deformation step forms splines (34) on the outer surface of the inner tube (12). A circumferential seal (40) is then applied around the inner tube, and an outer tube (14) is placed around the inner tube (12) and the seal (40). Radially inward pressure is applied on the outer tube to deform the outer tube and cause it to conform to the shape of the inner tube (12), and thereby forming splines (44) on the inner surface of the outer tube (14). The splines on the outer surface of the inner tube and the splines on the inner surface of the outer tube are configured to cooperate together to form a slip joint (24).