Does 35's + more cutting/less lift = less broken CV joints?

[SDmtnbkr]

I know everyone says that when you move to 35's and wheel hard you're going to break some CV's, but is it mostly the high angle due to the lift needed to clear the tires, or the heavier mass of the tire pinned on a rock (or against anything for that matter) against the force of the engine that is the reason they break?


My suspension should be arriving next week and I'm trying to plan out my next move so I don't waste a ton of money (like I will be doing when I sell my almost new 265 Duratracs) by switching from 33's to 35's after only a few months.

If I keep my lift lower (2-2.5" -ish), small body lift, and cut the firewall to clear at full compression/lock would that give me a better fighting chance against breaking CV? Or is there no hope because the mass of the wheel?

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I don't think there is anyone that will tell you less angle on the CV's is a bad thing.
But- unless you're running top out spacers- the lift height really doesn't change your travel range. So, would less angle be better? For sure. But when are they gonna break? Probably when you're stuffed or drooped, in a jam, with your tires turned [emoji23] At that point, 1" of suspension lift difference probably won't have mattered.
Just my two cents, of course.
In my opinion, the lower you can be- the better. It all depends on what kind of trails you do too.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I know everyone says that when you move to 35's and wheel hard you're going to break some CV's, but is it mostly the high angle due to the lift needed to clear the tires, or the heavier mass of the tire pinned on a rock (or against anything for that matter) against the force of the engine that is the reason they break?


My suspension should be arriving next week and I'm trying to plan out my next move so I don't waste a ton of money (like I will be doing when I sell my almost new 265 Duratracs) by switching from 33's to 35's after only a few months.

If I keep my lift lower (2-2.5" -ish), small body lift, and cut the firewall to clear at full compression/lock would that give me a better fighting chance against breaking CV? Or is there no hope because the mass of the wheel?

Suspension lift amount has nothing to do with tire clearance because the suspension will still travel the same path, just more dowtravel in most cases with upgraded shocks. Bump stop spacers, trimming, and body lifts help with tire clearance in the wheel wells.

I would guess the mass of the tire has an effect on CV stress, but people with 35's might wheel more often/ harder than those with 33's or smaller so that could exaggerate the reports. The same thing for the rear diff breakages.