Front Drive Shaft Update

[Max]

I completely agree. Perhaps an appropriate “I fixed what INEOS couldn’t” T-shirt.

Shafted?
Not now!

 

[HeavyFoot]

“I fix shafts”

 

[AFdude412]

If the shaft made by Sven or the one in the works by Dokatd function as expected then highway speeds of +80 mph are not an issue. This is because the CV at the pinion combined with the double cardan joint at the transfer case will theoretically not produce any vibrations.

However, a shaft with single u-joints at each end will have vibrations/harmonics and is not recommend for highway use. A shaft of this style is currently sold by Agile Off Road.

At least Agile's rear shaft is vibe-free though. I've been running it for a month now. So far so good!

 

[TCMColorado]

At least Agile's rear shaft is vibe-free though. I've been running it for a month now. So far so good!

Good to know! Given the lower joint angles for the rear shaft this makes sense.

 

[C-Mack]

I recall from a post a while back didn’t Sven have vibration issues with this setup initially? What refinements did he make to cure the vibration issues? Also, some have mentioned on a lifted vehicle the angle at the transfer case can still put a double cardan close to its limit and may wear faster as a result.

The question is, will a double cardan/Rzeppa setup at least outlast the the stock driveshaft before it cause issues or vibrations? If stock shafts are failing somewhere between 7K & 25K for stock/lifted vehicles can we hope to get a good distance past that with these hybrid shafts? It’s certainly the goal so fingers crossed we finally have a couple of decent solutions coming.

 

[HereinDaRockies]

At least Agile's rear shaft is vibe-free though. I've been running it for a month now. So far so good!

Did their rear shaft improve any of the resonance or vibration that occur during certain speeds on the highway? Granted, I am not sure the rear driveshaft is responsible for what I am describing

 

[Dokatd]

I recall from a post a while back didn’t Sven have vibration issues with this setup initially? What refinements did he make to cure the vibration issues? Also, some have mentioned on a lifted vehicle the angle at the transfer case can still put a double cardan close to its limit and may wear faster as a result.

The question is, will a double cardan/Rzeppa setup at least outlast the the stock driveshaft before it cause issues or vibrations? If stock shafts are failing somewhere between 7K & 25K for stock/lifted vehicles can we hope to get a good distance past that with these hybrid shafts? It’s certainly the goal so fingers crossed we finally have a couple of decent solutions coming.

I suspect Sven's suffered from being homemade and built from spare shafts. I am speculating on this, but photo evidence seems to agree. I have to assume he has refined the assembly at this point.

 

[TCMColorado]

I recall from a post a while back didn’t Sven have vibration issues with this setup initially? What refinements did he make to cure the vibration issues? Also, some have mentioned on a lifted vehicle the angle at the transfer case can still put a double cardan close to its limit and may wear faster as a result.

The question is, will a double cardan/Rzeppa setup at least outlast the the stock driveshaft before it cause issues or vibrations? If stock shafts are failing somewhere between 7K & 25K for stock/lifted vehicles can we hope to get a good distance past that with these hybrid shafts? It’s certainly the goal so fingers crossed we finally have a couple of decent solutions coming.

Sven's original shaft had a double cardan joint on each end.

 

[ORSO]

Is this a prototype or has it already been tested? Vibrations?

 

[AFdude412]

Did their rear shaft improve any of the resonance or vibration that occur during certain speeds on the highway? Granted, I am not sure the rear driveshaft is responsible for what I am describing

I have always had that very slight resonance around 65mph. The Agile rear shaft didn't make it any better or worse. Status quo.

 

[HereinDaRockies]

I have always had that very slight resonance around 65mph. The Agile rear shaft didn't make it any better or worse. Status quo.

Ahh so maybe it’s caused by something else,

 

[cyson]

Sven's original shaft had a double cardan joint on each end.

View attachment 7924026

They are testing out Sven's DC to DC shaft now, so let's see how it goes. This is what I'm leaning towards. If there's vibe, let's hope it's minimal...

I've been itching to get a lift and 255/85 so this is exciting.

 

[TCMColorado]

They are testing out Sven's DC to DC shaft now, so let's see how it goes. This is what I'm leaning towards. If there's vibe, let's hope it's minimal...

I've been itching to get a lift and 255/85 so this is exciting.

Sven's DC to DC shaft did have a problem with vibrations/harmonics.

His new shaft is DC to Rzeppa which theoretically should run free of vibrations. If it works as expected this will put paid to the issue of CV boot failure at the transfer case while also allowing for a trouble free suspension lift and increased caster. Dokatd also has a similar shaft in the works from a US supplier at likely a better price point. Either way this could be the solution the community has been waiting for to eliminate the primary weakness of the Grenadier/Quartermaster. Once proven I will proactively replace my drive shaft even though I have yet to experience the usual boot failure. Looking forward to running increased steering caster for better on road tracking and might install a short lift as well.