CV joints
CV joints
(OP)
I am seeking opinions on a suitable bearing support method for the half shafts on a kitcar on the rear axle (please see diagram).
The usual arrangement for independent rear suspension vehicles would be to connect the diff and each wheel hub with a single shaft which has a CV joint at each end, one or both of which would have plunge.
However, there is a vertical chassis member in the way which makes this not possible and so the idea is to use two shorter shafts on each side with a third CV joint with a support bearing so the layout would be = diff - CV1 – shaft1 – support bearing – CV2 – shaft 2 - CV3 – wheel.
Each of the shorter shafts will be around 40cm. CV1 will run at a permanent angle of around 10 degrees, and CV2 will be similar but vary with suspension travel and I wonder what sort of loads the bearing will see?
A standard prop shaft rubber supported bearing assembly would be the simplest and cheapest solution and allow for some small initial misalignment of the bearing or imperfect positioning of the diff in the chassis (diff is solid mounted) and also accommodate dynamic misalignment as a result of chassis flex but I wonder if the 10-degree angles will result in a radial or axial load on the shaft rendering a rubber mounted bearing assembly unsuitable or are there no loads other than the usual torsion?
Is there an equation to calculate the radial and axial loads on shaft1?
The usual arrangement for independent rear suspension vehicles would be to connect the diff and each wheel hub with a single shaft which has a CV joint at each end, one or both of which would have plunge.
However, there is a vertical chassis member in the way which makes this not possible and so the idea is to use two shorter shafts on each side with a third CV joint with a support bearing so the layout would be = diff - CV1 – shaft1 – support bearing – CV2 – shaft 2 - CV3 – wheel.
Each of the shorter shafts will be around 40cm. CV1 will run at a permanent angle of around 10 degrees, and CV2 will be similar but vary with suspension travel and I wonder what sort of loads the bearing will see?
A standard prop shaft rubber supported bearing assembly would be the simplest and cheapest solution and allow for some small initial misalignment of the bearing or imperfect positioning of the diff in the chassis (diff is solid mounted) and also accommodate dynamic misalignment as a result of chassis flex but I wonder if the 10-degree angles will result in a radial or axial load on the shaft rendering a rubber mounted bearing assembly unsuitable or are there no loads other than the usual torsion?
Is there an equation to calculate the radial and axial loads on shaft1?
Talk To Other Members
RE: CV joints
Incidentally you should give the designer of the kit car a smack around the head, that is a stupid piece of design. It won't work with a live axle and as you've found out, it doesn't work with an IRS.
Very similar hardware is used on some front wheel drives, where they use a layshaft or intermediate shaft across the back of the gearbox so that they can have equal length halfshafts.
https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-694df97f08bf...
https://www.allpar.com/attachments/equal-vs-unequa...
https://www.turbododge.com/attachments/4-sale-021-...
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: CV joints
do you think that the typical rubber propshaft support bearing would suffice or are the loads likely to be higher such that e.g. a self aligning roller bearing would be required?
RE: CV joints
But this baffles me. If you've got 50mm clearance to fit one of those, why not drop or raise the diff and solve the problem directly?
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: CV joints
RE: CV joints
What you're describing sounds like a mess that will be difficult to make robust. Moving structural members around isn't the easiest thing in the world, but when you're done welding them they don't move. Half shafts not so.
RE: CV joints