Hotchkiss drive

During the early part of the 20th century chain-drive power transmission was the main direct drive competitor of the Hotchkiss system, with the torque tube also popular until the 1950s.

In contrast, a torque tube arrangement uses only a single universal at the end of the transmission tailshaft, typically a constant velocity joint, and the axle housing is held fast by the torque tube, which anchors the differential housing to the transmission.

In the Hotchkiss drive, slip-splines or a plunge-type[clarification needed] (ball and trunnion u-joint) eliminate thrust transmitted back up the driveshaft from the axle, allowing simple rear-axle positioning using parallel leaf springs.

Some Hotchkiss driveshafts are made in two pieces with another universal joint in the center for greater flexibility, typically in trucks and specialty vehicles built on firetruck frames.

Firmly anchoring the axle housing to the leaf springs transfers both directions of torque, (both acceleration and braking), to the car body.