An automotive prop shaft assembly particularly suited for coupling a transfer case to the front axle drive components comprises a tubular drive shaft having an initial uniform inner diameter relatively smaller than the outer diameter of a pair of forged insert yokes to be attached to the ends of the shaft. A section of each end of the tube is enlarged so that its inner diameter is sized to receive the yokes into the ends of the tube with an interference fit. The shaft and yokes are then welded together and weights fixed to the end sections to correct for imbalance.

A propeller shaft has a metal pipe (1) with a joint element (3) joined at an end thereof. A fiber reinforced plastic layer (5) having a thickness that achieves a flexural rigidity satisfying a required natural bending frequency is formed on an outer circumference of the metal pipe (1) satisfying a static torsional strength required as a propeller shaft. The fiber reinforced plastic layer (5) has an interface strength between the reinforcing fiber and the matrix within a range of 20 to 200 MPa as measured by the microdroplet method.

A propeller shaft PS1 comprises a front pipe member 10 and first and second yoke members 20 and 30, which are attached to both the ends of the front pipe member 10. The first yoke member 20 is attached by press-fitting a first yoke fitting portion 23 into the inner circumferential part at the left end of the front pipe member 10 until the front end of the front pipe member comes near a stopper portion 24. The second yoke member 30, which has no stopper portion, is attached by press-fitting a second yoke fitting portion 33 into the inner circumferential part at the right end of the front pipe member 10. When a compressive force greater than a predetermined force acts axially, while the first yoke fitting portion 23 is prevented from being further inserted by the stopper portion 24, the second yoke fitting portion 33 is press-fit further into the inner circumferential part of the front pipe member, which is thereby expanded and destroyed.

A shock absorbing tube comprising a cylindrical main body made of fiber-reinforced plastic and an end member formed internally at an end of the main body, the main body and the end member are capable of separating from each other at an interface therebetween upon the application of a predetermined maximum axial force (Fm) and is capable of moving axially by sequentially enlarging the main body at a predetermined successive axial force (Fs), wherein the main body comprises reinforcing fibers helically wound at an angle of .+-.5-30.degree. with respect to the axial direction of the main body and the end member is made of a metal or comprises reinforcing fibers hoop wound at an angle of .+-.70.about.90.degree. with respect to the axial direction of the end member. The shock absorbing tube is useful for human safety, in particular, for use of propeller shaft and collapsible handle of automobiles.

A coupling member for a power transmission apparatus, connected to a fiber reinforced plastic cylindrical drive shaft, is comprised of a substantially cylindrical fitting portion to be press fitted into the drive shaft. The fitting portion is comprised of a serration portion formed in the axial direction on an outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion. The edge of the fitting portion has an inclined guide surface. The tip area of the guide surface is a guide portion with a smaller outer diameter than an inner diameter of an end portion of the drive shaft. An area between the guide portion and the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion is a cut away portion continuing from the serration portion. A tapering angle of the cut away portion is smaller than of the guide portion.