RCV Axles

[ransil]

I haven't heard of the need to rebuild RCV's all the time - if that was necessary, you'd think there would be a lot more complaints! RCV's use a big CV joint (same thing that is in just about every car on the road today) rather than a u-joint. All of them do well with frequent greasing.

One advantage not mentioned is that RCV's have a greater tolerance for power applied when turned to full lock. This may or man not be an advantage for you, depending on how you use the truck.

I was planning on going with standard axles + strong u-joints. However, when I calculated the cost of axles + high end u-joints, the cost was pretty comparable to the RCV's...minus a lifetime warranty and other advantages.

mine are 8 years old , no rebuilding needed as far as I know, but I dont put a lot of miles on it.
hit it with grease once a year is all I do, grease is $50 a tube

 

[nvrstuk]

x2 what Marcus and ransil said...who started the need to rebuild RCV rumor?? Not true...

 

[Yeller]

x2 what Marcus and ransil said...who started the need to rebuild RCV rumor?? Not true...

Correct for what 99.9% of us do this is 100% a myth. I know some race teams that race and prerun 15,000 (some more) miles per year, they are replacing the bells, spiders and balls every year but they are racing and replace/rebuild everything to eke out all of the reliability possible.

As for what are we doing to need these highfalutin parts? I don't know maybe we're just special. I know I can break every part in a D44 in about 10 minutes and think I'm being nice to it, hence why I don't wheel one. I know my last trip with a D44 in one fell swoop I broke all 4 chromoly axle shafts (inners and outers), the ring and pinion and locker. didn't feel like I was abusing it, 1st trip out after a total rebuild, was just shooting up a loose climb, there was a pop and the truck stopped and started sliding backwards.

 

[bknbronco]

I know jeep guys that would brag about there new RCV axles one day and a year later they would be at the same event and no longer running RCV's. Said they sold them because they were too much upkeep for the price. But like i said Heeps dont have lock put hubs so a axle is always turning. Spicer joints last 100,000 miles on the road. Sure RCV's are strongest possible axles available but for 99.9% of us there over kill and for some folks like heep owners there not that great for a rig that gets driven to work every day. I spent 5grand rebuilding my 44 and i didnt get RCV's. Just telling the original poster that sometimes you dont need the most expensive parts to have fun on and off the road. I think the money spent on a ARB is worth it but im not convinced that RCV are a must. Hell even the ARB isnt a must, but makes trails easyer.

 

[nvrstuk]

Well...RCV's are well worth the cost if you are going for your "once in a lifetime" trip to Moab or some cool wheeling place and that trip is ruined because the first trail you go on you grenade a ujoint...

Many people can't make a 2,000 mile trip every year with kids, school, work, vacation, bargaining with the wife on vacation destinations... so that ONE TRIP they finally get and ka-bam!! Trip is over because the D44 knuckle grenades, ujoint blows, etc, etc...

I used to run a 44...bought a D60 in 2000... sold it because I didn't want that PIG in my Bronco...well, I run one now ...I'd rather have a bit of extra weight than be replacing parts on the trail...or have to go home early because I didn't upgrade a known weak axle assembly.

ARB's were a must for me...I live on icy/snow covered roads for months at a time...I tried Ford Tracklock, Detroit, Auburn, you name it...only safe locker was a selectable locker...ARB USA said I had the first D44 in a Bronco in our State... safety was my biggest reason for the ARB's...been running them since Feb '87...

I'm a firm believer in enjoying your vacation...more apt to have fun when you aren't doing trail repairs