Front CV problems after lift install?

Hi guys, I have 2 friends both driving a 2013 Isuzu dmax and had iron man lift kits fitted on. Had about 2.5" lift on them. After some driving both had cv joint issues, cracked outer race and boot tearing. Anyone faced the same problem?

Wanted to put on a lift kit myself but I'm now apprehensive about destroying my front cv joints. I could only conclude that the lift kit they had on was beyond what the cv angle could take?

Hey bud ive got a tough dog lift on mine and my cvs are still dead straight ive got almsot 2.5 lift thats with out front steal bar i also have a 2inch body lift

Ring John at ZORDOS suspension. Hell be able to answer ANY questions you might have mate and clear anything up for you

It's not a huge surprise that increased CV angles cause damage. That's the reason why Calmini kits exist - to reduce the CV angle.

Any suspension specialist worth their salt will tell you that there are limits to the angle that the axle can enter the CV. If you're outside Australia, send Zordo on this forum a PM, otherwise give John a call as Mike suggests.

Thanks guys! I'm from Singapore so I guess I'll pm zordo.

What does the calmini kit do? Do they lower the front diff?

We have ironman kit and CV's are basically straight

samfromsg said:

Thanks guys! I'm from Singapore so I guess I'll pm zordo.

What does the calmini kit do? Do they lower the front diff?

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That's right -good question ! No they don't! I'd like to know also as I have raised mine and I don't like it all! Mines snake 2'' and the cv's are at a terrible angle, the top of the boot is all collapsed and binding/rubbing on it's self so here comes the cv boot issue! I want to see pic's of these angles and kits- I'll do mine tomorrow ...
And Tony please explain or draw me a diagram of how you think the other lift kits account for this? Correct me but isn't it the height of the stub axle from the lower wishbone in relation to the diff centre that determines the angle of the cv?? I'm talking d22 !
It's a real concern for me- I just spent $$$ on the front locker and I don't want that ruined from the stress of these angles- I'm sure the cv 's will go first buuuut...

I thought the CV angle was a product of the difference in physical height from the centre of the diff to the centre of the axle. In a stock D22, the diff is mounted on a cross-member, so it's physically held firm to the chassis (unlike a solid axle) by three large bolts on the smaller (input) side of the diff housing.

Lifting the suspension obviously lifts the chassis, which raises the diff mounting member and moves the differential upwards in relation to the axle. The axle has no choice at all but to sit on an increased angle. As far as I'm aware, the Calmini kit includes components to lower the front diff, reducing the CV angles. I thought I'd heard that Snake Racing also had these components available.

Snake racing is a rebadged calmini kit. I'll do a write up on the kit soon. Should get my car back this or next week.

I have an Ironman 2" lift with HD springs + 10 mm trim-packers installed. The diff sits a little higher with the CV's on a slight downwards angle.

CV's on a D40 are more than capable of dealing with 4" of lift (provided the UCA is managed such that it doesn't come into contact with the coil bucket either by installing extended balls joints, or more preferably after market UCAs).

Additionally, the problem described is probably not the CV but more likely the boot splitting and/or binding. Splitting or binding of the protective boot is also common on the current model hilux as the boots don't have many ribs in them to allow extra flexibility from the additional height gains. If your boot splits/binds then you might want to considering some aftermarket jobbies but in reality you will be fine with a 2" lift on a D40.

As far out cracking the outer race on the CV then that is just shit quality from Izuzu. Never hear many issues from blokes with stock Nissan CVs. And there are lots of guys running big lifts on D40's these days.

Vigilante said:

I have an Ironman 2" lift with HD springs + 10 mm trim-packers installed. The diff sits a little higher with the CV's on a slight downwards angle.

CV's on a D40 are more than capable of dealing with 4" of lift (provided the UCA is managed such that it doesn't come into contact with the coil bucket either by installing extended balls joints, or more preferably after market UCAs).

Additionally, the problem described is probably not the CV but more likely the boot splitting and/or binding. Splitting or binding of the protective boot is also common on the current model hilux as the boots don't have many ribs in them to allow extra flexibility from the additional height gains. If your boot splits/binds then you might want to considering some aftermarket jobbies but in reality you will be fine with a 2" lift on a D40.

As far out cracking the outer race on the CV then that is just shit quality from Izuzu. Never hear many issues from blokes with stock Nissan CVs. And there are lots of guys running big lifts on D40's these days.

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Agreed. I'm running over 2" suspension lift with a 1" body lift (which doesnt really matter in this equation). CV angles are fine. Could go another inch comfortably but i dont need it.

I'm running the same as you up front. Even have the 15mm IM trim packers. Im going to swap them over to a TD gas with HD spring though soon.

Ahhh I'll look into that now Tony "saved you from showing "us" your drawing skills"- it's not safe at these angles "I think"! I'll go take some pics now! it's Sunday guys and i'm in Sunday mode with this rain in Vic at the moment.. I want to see how they are lowering the diffs- Derr I didn't think of that....

here are some pic's..

When i got my kingcab i noticed with stock suspension that the CVs were inverted..so from the diff the drive shaft traveled uphill to the wheel.with a 2.5' lift they were somewhat level..at 4' they are now basically opposite to when it had the stock suspension...so heading downhill from the diff.
It doesnt matter if they are going up or down or they sit flat....@ 4' lift the CVs are fine...could probably go to 5" lift (if it was phyisically possible) without worring about CVs.
Ive seen far worse on toyota surfs and alike and not seen problems.also remember like in the pic above...the CV is designed to cope with some nasty turning angles not just up and down flexing...which its basically all the same movement.

vicszd30 said:

here are some pic's..

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These CV angles are fine. Nothing to worry about

Yeah I thought so too but when the wheels are dropped down to the stoppers and then you spin the diff it comes up to a "binding hard to turn/spin spot then goes free again ! I'm hoping it's not the new elocker just fitted! it never ends with these things!

That doesnt sound great.....they should spin without any hesitation.both sides do it?

Oh I know that camo! I know !

take a look at these pic's- I replaced the new black bump stops I got for some blue ones, I like blue
The blue ones are a little thicker than the after market black ones I purchased.. I didn't get a chance to see if it has helped- I'll lift it up tomorrow and see how they move ..

Ahh sorry mate i didnt realize your in a d22...there is a thread on here somwhere about some cheap diff drop bushes....and yes they look ordinary...are the CVs new or original...possible they have clapped out a bit if there binding.

vicszd30 said:

Yeah I thought so too but when the wheels are dropped down to the stoppers and then you spin the diff it comes up to a "binding hard to turn/spin spot then goes free again ! I'm hoping it's not the new elocker just fitted! it never ends with these things!

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That's the CV over extended.
It is just waiting to fail
cheers