A shaft assembly comprises a tubular shaft and a joint, wherein at least a portion of the joint is disposed within the tubular shaft. The present invention may also include a shaft assembly comprising a shaft and a constant velocity joint wherein the constant velocity joint is integrated into the shaft by inserting at least a portion of the constant velocity joint into the shaft. In one method of the invention, the method comprises the steps of integrating a constant velocity joint into a propeller shaft by inserting at least a portion of the constant velocity joint into the propeller shaft.