[Gdeaver]

Al,
What your concerned with is always a concern with co-axial dive modules. If you look at the lower cage design we have allot of metal and bracing along with a captive dead axle for the wheel. We choose not to lighten like 118 does. After this year's experience, I'm glade we did not. The 1" X .5 wall AL tube has proven more than strong enough. Looking at the above diagram there is a 1.5" OD ball type thrust bearing that handles the weight and vertical loads. The 2 1" flanged ball bearings are mounted in a 1/4" plate on the bottom and a 3/16 On the top. The plates are pop riveted to the frame and have 2" of separation. The basic design has proven it's self through some brutal matches and Hours and hours of drive time. We made concessions in places to keep the cost and machining down. The problems we have had are more to do with maintenance than failure. In the off season. We are looking to refine the design. It's not perfect yet. The control software was our biggest night mare with the pivot drive and the control presentation to the driver still needs work. Any team that want's to do swerve should not underestimate the complexities involved. If they want to do swerve next year they should start now.