Just a nagging question

[gspig]

With the problems people are having with U-joints, gimbal bearings, and couplers, why can't a CV jointed drive shaft be used? Cars use a short driveshaft (on front wheel drive) from the tranny to the wheel. It is secured to the wheel and pushes into a splined socket at the tranny. With such a setup, the gimbal bearing could be eliminated as well as the u-joints, also engine alignment would not be as critical.

 

[novicetech]

Re: Just a nagging question

Here!! Here !!, now all we have to do is convince Mercury.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Just a nagging question

There is a thing called a jackshaft!Some big boats have them,were a small one doesn't have the room.

 

[55chevy]

Re: Just a nagging question

gspig,<br />As crazy as that sounds, it would work, you may have to size it down a bit, but the ideal is a great one... Im with you... lets call Mercury.<br />Mark<br /><br />Stupid kills.... but not nearly enough.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Just a nagging question

you will still have to have a gimbal bearing to support the shaft and keep it inline with the engine. it may not be the the link belt bearing but someplace between the flywheel and the drive you will have a support bearing. and CV joints wear out just like u-joints. the double socket setup acts very similar to a CV joint. almost like the old cardan joints. its very reliable and cost effective. but no one does the maint so they get wet and fail. with proper maint its rare to see a u-joint or gimbal bearing fail. I have commercial guys with 1000's of hours on the joints and link belt gimbal bearings with no failures. twice per year the drive comes off, once per year the drive bellows is replaced weekly the bearing gets a shot of grease. but remember these motors run daily 6 to 9 hours per day from about may till about november.we cannot get an alpha to hold up but the SX and the cobra do quite well other than the lower swivel bushing and pin. but I have a cure for that as well. still will require bushing replacement yearly.

 

[searay3]

Re: Just a nagging question

This is an issue I cannot believe has not been addressed. The CV joint vs the u-joint are two differnet physics. Hence the change in 4wd/fwd vehicles. There is no 'carrier' needed as these shafts spin in an angle up to six inches on a vehicles suspenions. They also run for I dare say an ifnfinite time less the boot breaks and water enters ( just like a u-joint). It would also elininate the issue of running the outdrive full up (trailer) issue as thees joints do not have a point where they start to whip (damage).<br />Let's get a patent and call Merc!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Just a nagging question

searay<br /> look again at how the axle is assembled. then you will see the gimbal/steady bearing. and they fail a lot with the mudders. same water intrusion problems. but yes they do have a bearing to steady the shaft.

 

[gspig]

Re: Just a nagging question

On my Toyota the driver side half shaft does not have a carrier bearing. The passenger side does, but it is also 3 feet long.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Just a nagging question

if you study your yoda closely you will see the "steady" bearing. most half shafts either couple directly to a flange on the tranny or couple to the tranny with a Tri-pot joint. on the wheel end the spindle bearings act as a "steady" bearing.

 

[Don S]

Re: Just a nagging question

Your fwd front end CV joints don't see the rpm, load or angle difference at the speed the ujoints in an outdrive see.<br />Put your fwd in low gear and spin those front wheels at 3500 to 4500 rpm while going up a steep hill for hours on end with turns and see how they survive.<br />My guess is those lightweight CV joints won't last long.