RCV axle installation

Well recently I decided to jump the gun and purchase new CV axles for QDII from RCV performance. All though they are very expensive, I think it is money worth spending if you do alot of wheeling.

The installation went really well, if you have a service manual or know someone who does the directions are straight forward.

Right off the bat you can tell the RCV axles are more heavy duty than the stock cv axles. I wish i had a scale to weight them, but there was a noticable difference in the weight of the axles as compared to the stock ones. The axles come already assembled and pregreased.

In the picture below is a side by side comparison between the stock and rcv passenger axle.
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...3&d=1344725006

Piture of passenger side RCV axle:
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...4&d=1344725029

There is one thing about the passenger side rcv axle that has me concerned. The stock CV axle has a seal on the inside where it slides over the axle shaft. The RCV axle does not. You can see this in the below pictures.
Stock:
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...2&d=1344724984

RCV Axle:
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...6&d=1344725128

I have already contacted RCV about this and provided them pictures. They said it should not be a problem but will most likely incorporate a seal since the stock axle already has one.

During the installation process, I decided to replace the passenger side axle shaft seal
new seal installed:
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...5&d=1344725117

The seal was alittle tricky, I do not have the required tooling to remove the axle shaft, so I used a screwdriver and slowly picked at the seal until it was removed and just slid the new seal over the axle shaft. Since I didn't have a socet big enough to fit over the axle shaft so I could "press" the seal in place, I purchased an piece of exhaust tubing from autozone just big enough to fit over the axle shaft and would fit on the outer edge of the seal and tapped it into place.

If you look close at the above picture, the axle shaft seal goes on then an o-ring is installed, I don't know if that o-ring will be sufficient enough from preventing the grease from coming out or not. On the plus side there is a grease fitting on the end of the axle.

One thing that is cool about the RCV axles, they come with a grease fitting on the end of the axle so it can be greased. The only down side of this, I think it might be a special adaptor for it which you purchase from RCV.
The picture is kinda blurry, but this is the grease fitting:
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...5&d=1344725725

Here are some pictures of the passenger side once everything was back together:
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...0&d=1344726157
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...2&d=1344726194

Here are some comparison pictures of the drivers side axle ends that attach to the differential:
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...8&d=1344725257
Picture of the differential once the stock axle was removed:
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...0&d=1344725298
The only thing I wish i did differently, was replace the axle seal on the drivers side. I think i caused a leak. No problem though, I will keep an eye on it.

During the installation of the drivers side rcv axle, I could not get the axle into the differential. I think the snap ring that comes on the RCV axle is to big. I ended up having to remove the snap ring off of the stock cv axle and putting in onto the RCV axle.

Installation progress of drivers side RCV axle:
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...6&d=1344725985

Axle installation complete:
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...9&d=1344726044
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...7&d=1344726003

Once everything was complete, I took the jeep for a test drive. Until the axles get moving, the orange boot on the outer portion makes some noise, then goes away after a bit.

Now the one wierd thing that did happen, under normal throttle everything sound and felt great. But if you started off from a stand still and then stepped on the gas, I was hearing a racheting sound coming from the axles. I added more grease to them and continued to drive them. As of now everything sounds great, sound is gone.

There isn't alot of areas around the house to really test the axles out. I will have to goto the local off road park and really test them, but here are some pictures of me just messin around behind the house.

http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...9&d=1344734743
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...9&d=1344734670
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...2&d=1344734690
http://www.theultimatejeep.com/attac...3&d=1344734698

As I put more miles on the cv axles and more abuse, I will keep everyone posted.

Awesome bro thanks for taking the plunge!

Nice job.

That seal you mention actually looks like a "wiper". Their primary purpose is to prevent ingestion of dirt/debris.

Thanks. I'm pretty happy with how everything turned out. Needless to say, alot of overtime was worked to purchase them. Now it's time to put them through some abuse.

Looks good, thanks for the pics!

Mine are due sometime this week, getting antsy!

Dave

Looks great! Let us know how they work out.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Come to think of it I had that same sound with my cv I lossen things back up gave it a few more sharp wacks and the sound went away. It was just slightly not seated all the way.

Thanks for the info. while doing the axles I installed the RRO upper control arms, Took it in this morning for an alignment. They just called and said it was spot on. If I hear it again I will try reseating everything.

Nice write-up. I'll be waiting for more off-road feedback.

Just a little HiJack but on Topic.

Got my RCV's on Friday, and yep they are heavy.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...P1000506-1.jpg

Thats a generic aftermarket below the RCV's, and a stock shaft under that.

RCV shaft thickness 32.7mm
Aftermarket thickness 27.85mm
Stock Shaft thickness 29.75mm

Weight will have to wait until i can get some batteries for the scales :D

And here some real telling details.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...P1000511-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...P1000509-1.jpg

Now my angle gauge is plastic and has more welding spatter holes than i care to comment on, but the angles available are a massive difference even if they are off by a couple. The aftermarket shaft at max angle is not entirely correct as it couldn't maintain that angle when turned but the RCV could. I didnt have any complete factory shafts, but from memory they are very similar to the aftermarket ones when i compared them.

Hoping to have them in with everything else next weekend, and then give them a workout on the 1st September!

Dave

great info!! cant wait to see how they hold up :D

Awesome thanks

How are the control arms and axles holding up for you guys??

Hey Matt,

Ive had no issues with either. And with the front and rear driveshafts both being upgraded as well now i'm able to give it some stick when needed.

No noises or vibes from the CV's at all (and they sent me some cool shirts, beanies and flags as well!), and the UCA's are still in top nick, no noises and i can align the front to better than stock.

They have stood up to being bounced on 35's with hard throttle, and climbing rock walls with lots of load on large angles.

Im happy :D

Dave

Glad to hear that! I just put my RRO arms last weekend, aligned nicely. I ended up getting different dust boots because I didnt like how they doubled them up.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...6ea54ddb-1.jpg

Yeah ive got to do the same for mine, the doubled boots arent working against the mud!