Abstract: Lightweight tubular drive shafts having noise and vibration dampening characteristics, and capable of operating at high speeds without significant misalignment between their geometric axes and their axes of rotation, are prepared by forming the shafts so that the walls thereof are a composite of a plurality of layers of carbon fibers in a solid resin matrix wherein the fibers are disposed circumferentially and helically about the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A method of accurately centering and securely bonding a rod in a tubular shaft. Concentric alignment of the rod in the shaft is assured by positioning two resilient sealing rings between the rod and the shaft which act to center and hold the rod in proper geometric relationship with the shaft. While the invention is generally useful wherever secure bonding of a male fitting in a tubular shaft is desired, it is particularly applicable where accurate centering of the fitting in the shaft is necessary, such as in the bonding of a universal joint fitting in a drive shaft.