2009JKlover
Electrical
- Jan 15, 2023
- 1
Good morning, I’m new to the forum. I’ve been learning about axles lately, and have found myself at a sticking point. I’ll try to be concise here, sorry it’s so specific and long. This is in the context of 4wd vehicles like the Jeep wrangler.
I understand that overall a low pinion rear axle with a standard cut ring and pinion is the strongest set up, as normally the pinion pulls inward on the ring, while pushing against the Drive Side of the tooth (rather than the Coast side) and flings oil upward for lubrication.
For off-road vehicles- I know it’s common to have a high pinion front axle, with reverse cut ring and pinion; and a low pinion rear axle with standard cut gears. As I understand this setup is used because on the front axle, it also allows the pinion to pull inward on the axle, and the pinion drives the Drive Side of the ring. As opposed to a high pinion front axle with standard cut gears, which drive the Coast Side of the gears; or a low pinion front axle with reverse cut gears, which does the same.
I see that some custom 4x4s are using a high pinion solid rear axle with reverse cut ring and pinion, where the pinion normally drives the Drive Side of the ring gear. I keep reading that this setup is still weaker than the more common low pinion rear axle with standard cut ring and pinion. In both of these setups the pinion drives the Drive Side of the ring gear.
Am I then inferring correctly, that the high pinion rear axle with reverse cut gears is still weaker- because when this set up is used as the rear axle, the pinion is trying to climb/ push away from the ring? Is this just the inherent weakness because of the axle orientation?
If I missed anything or misunderstood I’ll try to clarify. Thank you for your help!
I understand that overall a low pinion rear axle with a standard cut ring and pinion is the strongest set up, as normally the pinion pulls inward on the ring, while pushing against the Drive Side of the tooth (rather than the Coast side) and flings oil upward for lubrication.
For off-road vehicles- I know it’s common to have a high pinion front axle, with reverse cut ring and pinion; and a low pinion rear axle with standard cut gears. As I understand this setup is used because on the front axle, it also allows the pinion to pull inward on the axle, and the pinion drives the Drive Side of the ring. As opposed to a high pinion front axle with standard cut gears, which drive the Coast Side of the gears; or a low pinion front axle with reverse cut gears, which does the same.
I see that some custom 4x4s are using a high pinion solid rear axle with reverse cut ring and pinion, where the pinion normally drives the Drive Side of the ring gear. I keep reading that this setup is still weaker than the more common low pinion rear axle with standard cut ring and pinion. In both of these setups the pinion drives the Drive Side of the ring gear.
Am I then inferring correctly, that the high pinion rear axle with reverse cut gears is still weaker- because when this set up is used as the rear axle, the pinion is trying to climb/ push away from the ring? Is this just the inherent weakness because of the axle orientation?
If I missed anything or misunderstood I’ll try to clarify. Thank you for your help!