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CV Angles - Whats Acceptable?

Posted: Wed 15 Jun, 2011 3:00 pm
by Brad.Jones
Hi Guys,

Well I had a fun queens birthday weekend with the Jeep club, but unfortunately also did some damage.
This was my first trip out with the new lift kit and at the end of the weekend when I went to put the car
up on to some ramps to wash it that's when I realised I had no 4wd.
The drivers side inner CV was in pieces crunching around.

Initially I thought it was because of the lift increasing the CV angles but I am pretty sure I hit something
as I also busted the tie rod connecting to the sway bar on the same side.

But just so I can double check and make sure the new struts aren't allowing too much travel
does anybody know what the max angle should be? Is there a rule of thumb?

Is there a simple test I can do - I was thinking lift the front off the ground and rotate each wheel
by hand and see if I feel or hear anything that I shouldn't. Would it be that simple?

Re: CV Angles - Whats Acceptable?

Posted: Wed 15 Jun, 2011 5:43 pm
by gwagensteve
Not really - less is best. I think you have an OME suspension kit (yes?) I don't think there's a problem with the amount of travel that kit allows.

Steve.

Re: CV Angles - Whats Acceptable?

Posted: Wed 15 Jun, 2011 6:41 pm
by Brad.Jones
In the end I got the EFS kit fitted. Bit of a long story but the gist of it was that the front was sitting way too high. Looked like a monster truck.
After about 3 sets of supposedly different springs I told the mechanics to rip it out totally and try something different.
The EFS kit went in without a hitch.

Re: CV Angles - Whats Acceptable?

Posted: Wed 15 Jun, 2011 6:43 pm
by gwagensteve
I can't comment on the length of the EFS struts. Generally though it's full lock/reverse whilst at full suspension droop that kills the CV's.

Steve.

Re: CV Angles - Whats Acceptable?

Posted: Thu 16 Jun, 2011 9:14 am
by christover1
I adjusted the steering stops on mine to help lessen temptation to hard lock.
I believe turning puts a lot more angle on CV than droop does. Check pix in my build.
Inner CV is not usually the one that busts,
is usually the outer.
Angles seem less severe on the inner.
Could be due to a hard hit I guess, as other bits show damage.
As Steve says,
avoid hard lock, droop and acceleration all together.

A new lift can stress any old CV's, as they start running at a new angle.