Hydroformed collapsible driveshaft and steering shaft and methods of making the same

A collapsible driveshaft, comprising:

• an integrally formed tubular member;
• said tubular member having a first portion having splines formed on an exterior surface thereof, said first portion having a first outer diameter,
• said tubular member having a second portion having a second outer diameter and an inner diameter, both of which are greater than said first outer diameter,
• said first and second portions of said tubular member being coaxial along an axis, and said second portion including a connecting section for connecting said second portion with said first portion, said connection section radially extending from said first portion and being substantially perpendicular to said axis.

A collapsible driveshaft, comprising:

• an integrally formed tubular member;
• said tubular member having a first portion having splines formed on an exterior surface thereof, said first portion having a first outer diameter,
• said tubular member having a second portion having a second outer diameter and an inner diameter, both of which are greater than said first outer diameter, said second portion having a first end and a second end, which is opposite to said first end, said second portion being attached to said first portion at said first end of said second portion, and
• said tubular member having a third portion attached to said second end of said second portion, said third portion having an outer diameter that is less than said inner diameter of said second portion and said third portion being constructed and arranged to be forced into said second portion.

A collapsible driveshaft, comprising:

• an integrally formed tubular member;
• said tubular member having a first portion having splines formed on an exterior surface thereof, said first portion having a first outer diameter,
• said tubular member having a second portion having an annular wall with a second outer diameter and an inner diameter, both of which are greater than said first outer diameter,
• said second portion having a bellows section with multiple peaks and valleys in said annular wall of the second portion, said bellows section being positioned between two tubular sections of said second portion that have substantially similar outer diameters.