Thread: D3 TDV6 S Suspension Ugrade & Gearbox query

Originally Posted by QPN

Just had the CV joints replaced plus the n/s/f drive shaft so hope this standard D3 repair will be OK with the extra 2 inches if I do increase the lift. Heavy duty cv's would have been a good option if available.

Gordon from opposite lock mentioned that there are upgraded CV's available for the D3 but they cost $500 each.

The issue of heavy-duty CV joints has been discussed quite a bit. The D3 is subjected to quite different stresses and angle than say, a D2. Heavy-duty CV's are generally advised for live axle cars when fitting diff-locks, massively oversize tyres, uprated axles etc, where drive-train loading can be expected to exceed the strength of the CV. In a D3, where you can't fit such things anyway, the CV's are more than up to the job.

The problem with the D3 or D4 are the angles that the CV's are subjected to. It is possible to exceed the safe-working angle of a CV when at emergency height and on full lock + power, more-so if using LLAMS or rods. The innards of the CV can literally fall out. This is a consequence of the design of all CV joints, and merely fitting "heavy duty" CV's won't address this. I was looking at a newly invented coupling from South Australia 4 or 5 years ago (the Thompson Coupling) when I was involved in competition work with the D3, which could work at extreme angles, but they didn't have a design that could handle the torque of the TDV6 at that stage.

Cheers,

Gordon