<P> On a power - driven ship, the drive shaft, or propeller shaft, usually connects the transmission inside the vessel directly to the propeller, passing through a stuffing box or other seal at the point it exits the hull . There is also a thrust block, a bearing to resist the axial force of the propeller . As the rotating propeller pushes the vessel forward, any length of drive shaft between propeller and thrust block is subject to compression, and when going astern to tension . Except for the very smallest of boats, this force isn't taken on the gearbox or engine directly . </P> <P> Cardan shafts are also often used in marine applications between the transmission and either a propeller gearbox or waterjet . </P> <P> The portion of the prop shaft which connects directly to the propeller is known as the tail shaft . </P> <P> The Shay, Climax and Heisler locomotives, all introduced in the late 19th century, used quill drives to couple power from a centrally mounted multi-cylinder engine to each of the trucks supporting the engine . On each of these geared steam locomotives, one end of each drive shaft was coupled to the driven truck through a universal joint while the other end was powered by the crankshaft, transmission or another truck through a second universal joint . A quill drive also has the ability to slide lengthways, effectively varying its length . This is required to allow the bogies to rotate when passing a curve . </P>

State three differences between a drive shaft design for front wheel drive