Technical Article

QUESTION: Does a slight forward or rearward position of the transaxle, in relation to the outer CV and stub axle, cause a weakness or unnecessary wear on the CV's?

ANSWER: No! As a matter of fact, it actually helps! If you were to mount a CV axle perfectly straight and the amount of suspension travel was limited to just about nothing, you could build up an excessive amount of heat and wear, because the joint would not continuously lubricate itself in the CV grease. Since the internal bearings in a CV joint are round, the joint is designed to distribute the torque energy throughout the joint. If the joint were riding in one position, the energy and heat would be concentrated on just one area. If you put some angle in the joint by moving the tranny forward or rearward an inch or two, then it spreads the heat and wear out. The more you increase the angle, theoretically, the cooler the joint will operate. (This is not entirely correct after you operate the CV past a certain degree of angle, and you factor in pounds per square inch...but you get the idea.)

In the off road industry, the 930 and G-50 CV joints are used more frequently then any other single CV joint. This is largely due to the ability to handle extreme angles and huge HP. Stock joints are good up to 500HP (depending on the angle) and can be used up to 26 degrees. Naturally, after about 15 degrees, the HP capability of the stock CV will begin to drop. With some upgrades like Chromoly cages, polishing, and even cryogenic freezing, 34 degrees and 700 HP capabilities are not out of the question.

Typically the 930 or G-50 CV joints are seeing less than 10 degrees of total travel in kit cars such as the Factory Five GTM, Ultima, GT-40, and Lambo designs. This is enough to keep the joint cool and maintain the big HP capability of the joints without excessive wear.

For further information on this or other related concerns, please give us a call. Thank you!

- Scott