The last CV you'll ever need....maybe

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10/11/2010, 02:33 PM
LittleBeast

What exactly is it that will be upgraded about these CV's? The cage itself was the only weak spot on the OEM CV's that I experienced. How do they increase the quality of the cage? Just make it thicker?
10/11/2010, 03:26 PM
Triathlete

Probably the use of better/stronger metal alloys...just guessing though. They may also know of a better way to design them to eliminate/strengthen weak spots.
10/14/2010, 10:24 AM
BigMeatVX

The clicking people hear is the ball(s) traveling in the slots in the tulip and the star, AND hitting a worn or damaged area in there path...either a compression in the tulip or a crack in the star will cause this...

It is NOT the axle bar binding on the side of the tulip.:mad:

Did you have a diff drop when you had this lift???:confused:

Some CVs allow the axle bar to slip inside the star for more movement...this eliminates the need for the center slip yoke you speak of...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ascinder

Yeah, from a weight distribution standpoint, it will certainly reduce breakages, but kind of what I was referring to is that generally when people start putting performance oriented stuff like this in, the tendency is to lift as well, they kind of go hand in hand. I know when mine was lifted pretty high like that, the cvs were seeing some pretty steep angles. When that happens you get a lot of end-range play. What I mean is that the balls and cups are sitting where they are not used to being and at the limits of their allowable travel I think that's where a lot of people are hearing the clicking. If you envision the insides of a cv at a high angle, the cages are also at an angle and so every time the shaft turns one revolution, the balls must travel all the way back and forth in the cup. I think this is the clicking people hear. Obviously all this travel is going to cause more wear and tear vs stock which only travel a small amount and then only when there's any suspension travel. That's the reason I was interested in the cvs that have a splints center shaft that allows them to self lengthen and shorten. It would take away some of the forces present when the suspension cycles. And instead of bottoming out the cages in the cups, would let them ride where they're most "comfortable".

P.S.: 1000th post ftw!!
10/14/2010, 10:33 AM
BigMeatVX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin

Thats what I was thinking, talking with Joe D about it. Definitely gotta stay out of the skinny pedal if you are flexed out...Plus, looking how much flex he gets, gonna have to remove the inner liners, and perhaps trim the outer cladding...no big deal for me, but for some that is probably a deal breaker, although if you want to keep your VX pretty, this kit kind of defeats the purpose. :)

Dont forget that I run 35s and 36 inch tires....:winko: thats where all the trimming is neccesary...
Folks with 31-33ish tires will not need to remove front the inner fenders with the SUPER FLEXY IFS KIT.
10/14/2010, 04:15 PM
Ascinder

Well I'm not really sure what you mean by an axle bar, but I think we are saying the same thing. Yes, I did have a diff drop installed at the time. I did 2.5" if remember correctly, but it might have been 3", it'd been a long time. Even with that my cvs were running constant 30 degree angles just going down the street. I was trying to say in my post above that because of that angle, every time the shaft rotates it cause the balls to do exactly what you are saying-slide back and forth in the cv cups, but it's also causing the cages to move all over the place so they can. If you have a cv with no boot on and look inside when you move it and it's at a high angle you can see this plain as day.
10/19/2010, 09:07 AM
tom4bren

I just spoke with Sean at RCV. He is trying to get the detailed measurements from my donated parts & have a cost estimate for us soon.

LittleBeast - I forgot to ask him how the cage is made better but I'll try to remember next time I talk to him.

BigSwede - I was thinking about the super flexy thing when I was talking to Sean. He is initially going to price the half shafts without the slip joint added to the center bar (to save on cost). They'll be able to add it if needed for those that are going super flexy. He said that on Uber-lifted Toyotas they typically install longer center bars. I don't think that will work for our set up with super flexy since the stuffed wheel will effectively need a shorter center bar or something could get damaged.

RamAirZ - I'm not trying to take over - just not sure of your interest since you sold your VX.

Tom
10/19/2010, 10:37 AM
RamAirZ

I've still been working on it, little irritated with Sean because this was supposed to be done already lol. If you wanna stay involved be my guest. I wasn't going to bail on this plan even though I sold Sylvia.
10/20/2010, 09:52 AM
tom4bren

BTW, I also mentioned to Sean that more than a few of us have gotten wear points in the outer race. In all the cases I've heard of, it was caused by grit that got in after a torn boot. Hope he gets the message tho that the parts should be hardened by the best means possible.
11/03/2010, 10:19 AM
Marlin

Bump for update?
11/03/2010, 10:21 AM
tom4bren

I tried to call yesterday but he didn't pick up.
11/03/2010, 11:14 AM
Marlin

Maybe he was out voting...
11/03/2010, 11:58 AM
RamAirZ

lol I've been getting that for the last 2 weeks
11/03/2010, 03:07 PM
Ascinder

A lot of these offroading related shops have spurts where they are impossible to get a hold of. I've had to call and call and call for ever at some places:mad: They will become available again soon I'm sure.
11/04/2010, 05:36 AM
tom4bren

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ascinder

A lot of these offroading related shops have spurts where they are impossible to get a hold of. I've had to call and call and call for ever at some places:mad: They will become available again soon I'm sure.

That's what I figured too. I'll continue to be patient & nice in the hopes that they'll cut me a killer deal on a set to Beta Test them.:)
11/04/2010, 06:09 AM
Marlin

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom4bren

That's what I figured too. I'll continue to be patient & nice in the hopes that they'll cut me a killer deal on a set to Beta Test them.:)

You have a front locker and a super flexy IFS kit?! I didn't know that!! I didn't even know you did a lot of wheelin? Damn, and I thought I had a pretty good idea about my family's VX usage.
The above things must be true in order to be the test platform.:bgwb: That narrows it down to only a few of us...and I believe one has a blown engine, another sounds like he doing a engine swap as well.:smack:
11/04/2010, 07:43 AM
tom4bren

You, me, BigMeat & LittleBeast have the most experience with trashed CVs so personally, I think I would be a good choice to test them.
11/04/2010, 07:46 AM
vt_maverick

In any case, more testers equals more reliable results.
11/04/2010, 08:05 AM
Marlin

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom4bren

You, me, BigMeat & LittleBeast have the most experience with trashed CVs so personally, I think I would be a good choice to test them.

LOL, I was just giving you a hard time. I figure a front locker while wheeling would be the hardest test platform, and add bonus points for the Superflexy IFS kit.
Although, I have never broken an OEM CV on the trail, and other than boots, have never had a problem.
I just want peace of mind that I don't have to worry ever again. I want some of those fancy orange boots at RCV, but I will wait on the new set and see what they come up with. I will keep one of my after market CVs as a trail spare since the RCVs come with a sweet warranty.

Maybe we can get them to do a group buy reduced rate, perhaps put down a 50% deposit or some such deal.
11/04/2010, 08:17 AM
yellowgizmo99

they are not sure what the size is for the VCross(RCV), talked with someone and he said if he could get the OD of the 2 boot sizes needed and number of folds he would look to see what could fit.
11/04/2010, 09:11 AM
tom4bren

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin

LOL, I was just giving you a hard time.

I know. I never take myself seriously ... you even less so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowgizmo99

they are not sure what the size is for the VCross(RCV), talked with someone and he said if he could get the OD of the 2 boot sizes needed and number of folds he would look to see what could fit.

Crap - I didn't even think about sending them the spare CV boot I have. I'll try calling them again today.
11/04/2010, 09:39 AM
Marlin

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom4bren

I know. I never take myself seriously ... you even less so.
;eekb;

Crap - I didn't even think about sending them the spare CV boot I have. I'll try calling them again today.

They should be able to get the boot size from the CV joints they have.
11/04/2010, 10:02 AM
tom4bren

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin

They should be able to get the boot size from the CV joints they have.

I'll offer though & get some brownie points:happyface
11/04/2010, 10:16 AM
phines

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin

You have a front locker and a super flexy IFS kit?! I didn't know that!! I didn't even know you did a lot of wheelin? Damn, and I thought I had a pretty good idea about my family's VX usage.
The above things must be true in order to be the test platform.:bgwb: That narrows it down to only a few of us...and I believe one has a blown engine, another sounds like he doing a engine swap as well.:smack:

Yep, I'm the one with the blown engine. Should be back on the road in another week or so though. We should all get together next spring to do some wheeling (Uwharrie or wherever).

So, what's the status on these new hardcore CV's? Shop still not responding?
11/04/2010, 10:51 AM
tom4bren

Not today (but I have not been leaving voicemails). If he doesn't pick up this afternoon, I'll leave a message for him to call me.
11/04/2010, 11:18 AM
Marlin

Quote:

Originally Posted by phines

Yep, I'm the one with the blown engine. Should be back on the road in another week or so though. We should all get together next spring to do some wheeling (Uwharrie or wherever).

So, what's the status on these new hardcore CV's? Shop still not responding?

I'm going to Moab next spring, so no uwharrie April trip. I am planning on doing the December run in mid December to close out the season, test out the IFS kit, and maybe the RCV CVs.
11/04/2010, 11:49 AM
yellowgizmo99

maybe the guy I talked to didn't know about the CV there and I forgot about it myself.
11/04/2010, 12:33 PM
tom4bren

Left voicemail. If he doesn't return my call by noon tomorrow, I'll try his cell.
11/05/2010, 07:04 AM
BigSwede

He might be at the SEMA show this week in Vegas. I know that's where Indy4x is...
11/05/2010, 07:28 AM
tom4bren

Good point, I'll wait till Monday to try again.
11/13/2010, 11:49 AM
Marlin

:bump: for update...
11/24/2010, 02:50 PM
VXorado

Hey Tom, did you ever hear back from the company?
11/29/2010, 05:48 AM
tom4bren

Nope ... I'll try calling him later today.
12/13/2010, 10:08 AM
tom4bren

Still no answer when I call.

Still no response to voicemail messages.

I went to their website & sent them a message ... I'll let you know how that works out.

Tom
12/13/2010, 10:13 AM
vt_maverick

Are they owned by Alpine? :)
12/13/2010, 11:09 AM
RamAirZ

I've gotten the same thing Tom
12/13/2010, 09:21 PM
VXorado

Thanks for trying Tom, we'll see what happens. Obviously customer service isn't a big part of their business.
12/14/2010, 04:12 AM
tom4bren

Quote:

Originally Posted by vt_maverick

Are they owned by Alpine? :)

LOL ... mebbe.

They are definitely behind the times tho. Their website still lists Tone as the only distributor for their Isuzu products.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VXorado

Thanks for trying Tom, we'll see what happens. Obviously customer service isn't a big part of their business.

I'm sure it's a different story if you're purchasing an existing product from them. If you're working with them on a new product, then ...
12/14/2010, 02:08 PM
tom4bren

WooHoo!!!

I finally got ahold of Craig. He's going to track down Sean & have him give me a call.

Don't hold your breath ... I'm not.:)
12/17/2010, 02:48 PM
tom4bren

Crap ... Crap ... Crap!!!!

My son was driving the VX last night & said it was making a horrible noise from the front end. I just went out & checked it. The front outter CV on the drivers side went bye-bye.

The end of the shaft is completely out of the outer race. The cage and all of the balls are gone. The inner race looks OK but the end of the shaft is pretty chewed up. I stuck my finger in the inner race and there's a lot of sharp splinters in there so I didn't investigate it any further.

It was easy to pop off the boot on the inner race and pull the retaining ring out. Turning the wheels all the way to the right gave me enough room to remove the shaft.

Bad time of the year to be running without 4WD but at least it's driveable now.

Hope RCV gets on the ball with those new shafts. I'll be calling them on Monday to light a fire under them. Definitely a higher priority for me now that I'm the one that needs them.
12/17/2010, 02:59 PM
Ebenezr

I know this is countercurrent but I think of the cv and half shaft kind of as a fuse in the front driveline. If something needs to blow let it be a $60.00 "plug and play"cv half shaft assembly rather than something deeper in the driveline. I'm not sure I would would want an industructible joint.

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