Lightweight drive axle shaft

1. A drive axle shaft, comprising:

an elongate, tubular body having a first longitudinal end configured for coupling to a side gear in a differential and a second longitudinal end configured to support a vehicle wheel;

a screw disposed at said first longitudinal end of said tubular body, said screw comprising:

a shank configured to be received within a bore in said tubular body; and

a head having first and second portions, said first portion disposed at one longitudinal end of said screw and having a first diameter, said first portion spaced from said first longitudinal end of said tubular body, said second portion disposed between said first portion and said shank and having a second diameter less than said first diameter such that said first longitudinal end of said tubular body and said first and second portions of said head define a groove; and

a shaft retainer removably received in the groove;

wherein said tubular body is hollow and defines a bore extending substantially from said first longitudinal end to said second longitudinal end; and

wherein a diameter of said bore varies along said body.

2. The drive axle shaft of claim 1 further comprising a wheel flange disposed at said second longitudinal end of said tubular body.

3. The drive axle shaft of claim 1 wherein said tubular body defines an internal thread configured to engage an external thread on said shank of said screw.

4. The drive axle shaft of claim 1 wherein said tubular body defines a counterbore at said first longitudinal end configured to receive said second portion of said head.

5. The drive axle shaft of claim 1 wherein said head defines a socket having a plurality of straight sides.

6. The drive axle shaft of claim 1 wherein said first longitudinal end is coupled to said side gear.

7. The drive axle shaft of claim 1 wherein said tubular body has cylindrical exterior defining a body diameter at said first longitudinal end; and said shaft retainer defines a shaft retainer diameter greater than said body diameter.

8. The drive axle shaft of claim 1 wherein said diameter of said bore is reduced proximate to said first and second longitudinal ends.

9. A drive axle shaft, comprising:

an elongate, tubular body having a first longitudinal end configured for coupling to a side gear in a differential and a second longitudinal end;

a wheel flange disposed at said second longitudinal end of said tubular body, the wheel flange configured to support a vehicle wheel;

a screw disposed at said first longitudinal end of said tubular body, said screw comprising:

a shank configured to be received within a bore in said tubular body; and

a head having first and second portions, said first portion disposed at one longitudinal end of said screw and having a first diameter, said first portion spaced from said first longitudinal end of said tubular body, said second portion disposed between said first portion and said shank and having a second diameter less than said first diameter such that said first longitudinal end of said tubular body and said first and second portions of said head define a groove configured to receive a shaft retainer; and

wherein the shaft retainer is removably received in the groove; and

wherein said bore has a reduced diameter proximate to said first and second longitudinal ends.

10. The drive axle shaft of claim 9 wherein said tubular body defines an internal thread configured to engage an external thread on said shank of said screw.

11. The drive axle shaft of claim 9 wherein said tubular body defines a counterbore at said first longitudinal end configured to receive said second portion of said head.

12. The drive axle shaft of claim 9 wherein said head defines a socket having a plurality of straight sides.

13. The drive axle shaft of claim 9 further comprising said side gear.

14. The drive axle shaft of claim 9 wherein said tubular body is hollow and defines a bore extending substantially from said first longitudinal end to said second longitudinal end.

15. The drive axle shaft of claim 9 wherein said diameter of said bore varies along said body.

16. A drive axle shaft, comprising:

a body comprising at least a first and a second end;

said first end comprising a threaded bore; and

a screw disposed at said first end, said screw comprising:

a threaded shank, wherein said threaded shank engages said threaded bore, and a head, said head projecting from said threaded shank;

a shaft retainer, removably coupled to said body;

a splined length between said first and second ends; and

a side gear comprising a splined bore;

wherein said splined bore engages said splined length;

wherein said body is hollow and defines a bore extending substantially from said first end to said second end; and

wherein a diameter of said bore varies along said body.

17. The drive axle shaft of claim 16 wherein said shaft retainer is removably coupled to a side gear.

18. The drive axle shaft of claim 16 wherein said shaft retainer is removably coupled to said screw.

19. The drive axle shaft of claim 16 wherein a groove is defined by said head and said body.

20. The drive axle shaft of claim 16 further comprising a wheel flange disposed at said second end.

21. The drive axle shaft of claim 16 wherein said diameter of said bore is reduced proximate to said first and second ends.