Flexible element

A flexible element, for example a flexible shaft, has a core and a tubular sheathing protecting the latter. Sleeve elements surround the core and hold the tubular sheathing between them. Different co-efficients of thermal expansion of the material for the tubular sheathing in comparison to the material of the core have previously led to undesirable distortions. To avoid these distortions in a structurally simple manner, at least one sleeve element holds the tubular sheathing with limited axial play. The play compensation between the sleeve element and tubular sheathing is particularly advantageous when the sleeve elements are used for fixing the flexible elements.