Specs For CV Joint Angle

[Larry2010]

Been through every post I can find on here but can't find what the factory spec is for the angle of the CV Joint.

I want to do a TT and know from all the post I shouldn't go more that 2" but I also know mine has already been messed with befor I got it so I could already be 1" or 2" off of factory spec. So can anyone tell me what the max cv joint angle or the factory spec is??

That way I can return it to normal then take it back to the 2" max and know I'm probably ok.

Taking it up and up until it starts groaning then back it off sounds a little too un-precise.

Thanks!

 

[fordX302]

if your tire size is 235/75/15 then the stock height from dead center wheelwell to the road is 33inches. measure yours..... then you will figure out how much u need to go. im 4.5 inches low in the front, and havnt had any problems, and my angels apear to be ok. i would just take the bolts out, thats what i did at first.. wont go lower then 2.5 i only got 2.25 out of that. hope this helps ya out at all

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I've never heard of a "cv-axle angle spec" for a vehicle.

-Drew

 

[Larry2010]

Thanks

Thanks for the info. I can calculate the difference in tire size and come up with the right measurements. That gives me a starting point.

If others have different stock height measurements your info would be welcomed. I know from various posts that's there's quite a bit of difference from one stock 'splorer to the next and I'll use an average of all the numbers I can get.

Thanks all!

 

[Larry2010]

I've never heard of a "cv-axle angle spec" for a vehicle.

-Drew

Well, perhaps not, but considering all the posts cautioning about going too high or too low because too great of an angle will wear out the CVs quickly then I assumed there are specs for the factor setting and/or the max allowed angle ... mfgs seem to have specs for everything else.

 

[Lloyd10977]

Using 235/75R15 tires, I am at 34inches at the middle of the wheelwell (messured from the ground throught the center of the wheel to the wheelwell lip.) I had to TT to raise my front a little after the rear leaf swap and all appears level now. And the handling is quite nice.

 

[GJarrett]

As far as the actual angle, unless it is an extremely custom CV joint, almost all CVs - whether on our Explorers or on another brand of vehicle - normally max out at about 22~24 degrees.

You can tell if you're at about the original setting because your axleshaft will be level instead of angled down. Just crank your torsion bars until your axleshafts are straight/level and measure from there as a starting point stock setting.

 

[Larry2010]

gJarrett - Thanks man that's exactly what I needed to know. My 1st guess was that stock should be level/straight but couldn't find anywhere that said that. And somehow my guesses usually mean I'm gonna break something )

 

[GJarrett]

Well when you think about that it's kinda common sense beacause a CV is not going to know whether it is up or down... so if you start from scratch at a neutral position, it will rotate at the same maximum angle before it fails - because it is rotating.

That angle is 22~24 degrees. Wheel travel/articulation will be determined by how long the axleshaft is and is therefore a mathematical calculation of how long the axleshaft is while traveling within the 22~24 degrees of movement it is allowed to perform within. The longer the axleshaft, the more the articulation. Our Explorers are at a disadvantage simply because our halfaxles are so short - if they were twice as long, we'd get twice the travel. I can't remember what our articulation is but I did measure it once and remember that whatever it was I have, it sucks - I think it was maybe 9" or so.

If you want to get the most travel out of your TT lift while making sure not to grenade your CVs, I have a simple suggestion. Disconnect your front shocks and then put a floor jack under your crossmember to lift your front end off the floor. Without your shocks connected to limit travel, your wheels will be drooping at the point of maximum drop allowed by maximum CV angle. Measure that, and then I'd do a TT lift that is at least 1/2" less than that maximum angle.

Remember that CVs experience more stress as they are forced to perform in their extreme range.... the only time I grenaded one was on the Steelbender trail in Moab. It was my fault, because I tried to climb a vertical wall while climbing with the steering wheel turned completely left - the right CV gave up while the right tire was at full droop and at total steering angle as it grabbed maximum traction on the Moab redrock terrain. Don't do what I did, and you'll (usually) be fine.

 

[fordX302]

ive never seen a stock cv axle be level.... ones ive seen have always go down.... thats why they say u can drop 2 inches an be safe. because it ends up being very close to the OE angle. except up. like u say they dont know up from down.