Dual plunging constant velocity drive shaft

A dual plunging constant velocity, CV, drive shaft for conducting rotational motion from a transaxle to a drive wheel supported by a trailing arm of a vehicle, the drive shaft comprising:

• an elongate member configured to transfer torque from the transaxle to the drive wheel;
• an inboard plunging joint coupled to a first end of the elongate member and configured to allow longitudinal movement of the elongate member relative to the transaxle, wherein the inboard plunging joint is operably disposed within an inboard elongate housing;
• and
• an outboard plunging joint coupled to a second end of the elongate member and configured to allow longitudinal movement of the elongate member relative to the drive wheel, the first end opposite the second end, wherein the outboard plunging joint is operably disposed within an outboard elongate housing,
• wherein the inboard elongate housing and the outboard elongate housing each comprises a groove that receives a snap-ring, the grooves and the snap-rings cooperating to retain a first CV joint and a second CV joint respectively retained with the inboard elongate housing and the outboard elongate housing, and wherein each of the inboard elongate housing and the outboard elongate housing comprises threads that are configured to rotatably engage with threads disposed within an interior of an end-cap, each groove being comprised of clearance remaining between an interior surface of the end-cap and an edge of each of the inboard elongate housing and the outboard elongate housing.