So what do you do if you blow out a CV in the boonies?

[Mark_BC]

Until I get manual hubs, I'll likely be doing a few remote trips. What do you do if you break a CV? Can you remove it? The front diff doesn't turn in 2WD (other than by the CV rotation) so why not just cover up the hole where the CV went? Or does the wheel hub need a shaft in it to support the wheel?

I know one answer is to bring a spare CV but I won't have the skills or tools to replace it by then. All I'll be able to do is cut out the existing one.

 

[theesotericone]

Until I get manual hubs, I'll likely be doing a few remote trips. What do you do if you break a CV? Can you remove it? The front diff doesn't turn in 2WD (other than by the CV rotation) so why not just cover up the hole where the CV went? Or does the wheel hub need a shaft in it to support the wheel?

I know one answer is to bring a spare CV but I won't have the skills or tools to replace it by then. All I'll be able to do is cut out the existing one.

Honestly, if you don't have the tools and skill to swap a CV, you shouldn't be going into the boonies.

 

[Mark_BC]

Honestly, if you don't have the tools and skill to swap a CV, you shouldn't be going into the boonies.

How did I know you would be the first to respond?

So what you're saying is our tucks aren't meant to go offroad? I thought that's how they were marketed.

 

[theesotericone]

How did I know you would be the first to respond?

So what you're saying is our tucks aren't meant to go offroad? I thought that's how they were marketed.

What I'm saying is that anyone venturing into any area that is remote should have the skills and tools needed to also be able to get out of the area if the shit hits the fan. Wheeling, climbing, backpacking, kayaking. Take your pick. Be prepared for the worse. Have the skills to deal with it. Or be a statistic Your choice.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Carry the right tools. On the flats, less than 30 minutes.

 

[Mark_BC]

I've seen Timmy's video, it looks pretty involved. I don't think I'd be able to do it until I've done it in the comfort of my own garage first.

Even if you blow an engine, you can get the truck pulled out. But if you blow a CV, that wheel ain't turnin. You aren't going anywhere.

 

[Mark_BC]

 

[4Runner fun]

Until I get manual hubs, I'll likely be doing a few remote trips. What do you do if you break a CV? Can you remove it? The front diff doesn't turn in 2WD (other than by the CV rotation) so why not just cover up the hole where the CV went? Or does the wheel hub need a shaft in it to support the wheel?

I know one answer is to bring a spare CV but I won't have the skills or tools to replace it by then. All I'll be able to do is cut out the existing one.

I'm not sure you really understand what happens if you break A CV.
and NO, locking hubs will not help the situation in any way.

please start at the beginning and explain the logic.

I'll start.
with an open differential (as what would be found in a stock 3rd gen 4Runner) both tires need resistance for one of them to turn, If one looses traction or breaks an axle and has no resistance all of the power to the front axle goes to that wheel.
also there is no way to trick the power into going to the wheel that has resistance, It's the way the open differential works.
so locking hubs do nothing to help you.

Also a broken CV does not need to be trail repaired, you can have buddies help drag you out and repair it either on level ground or at home.

 

[4Runner fun]

I've seen Timmy's video, it looks pretty involved. I don't think I'd be able to do it until I've done it in the comfort of my own garage first.

Even if you blow an engine, you can get the truck pulled out. But if you blow a CV, that wheel ain't turnin. You aren't going anywhere.

your better with a blown cv than a blown engine.
I don't know why you would think otherwise.

 

[Mark_BC]

I'm not sure you really understand what happens if you break A CV.
and NO, locking hubs will not help the situation in any way.

please start at the beginning and explain the logic.

I'll start.
with an open differential (as what would be found in a stock 3rd gen 4Runner) both tires need resistance for one of them to turn, If one looses traction or breaks an axle and has no resistance all of the power to the front axle goes to that wheel.
also there is no way to trick the power into going to the wheel that has resistance, It's the way the open differential works.
so locking hubs do nothing to help you.

Also a broken CV does not need to be trail repaired, you can have buddies help drag you out and repair it either on level ground or at home.

You stick it in 2WD, unlock the hubs, and the CV doesn't turn. Then you drive out in 2WD. With standard non-locking hubs, the CV has to turn if the front wheel is turning. Depending on how the CV broke, it might not allow the wheel to turn freely.

You can't pull a vehicle out if the front wheel won't turn but you can pull a vehicle out with a dead engine. Well maybe not because you won't have steering or brakes.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Bring an extra shaft with you along with u joints, gear oil, engine oil, tranny fluid, rags, JB weld, tire plug kit, air compressor, tools, blankets, something to start a fire, something to defend yourself with, plenty of dry food and water. Depending on how deep you're going, If you're stranded the broken shaft may be the least of your worries.

 

[Mark_BC]

I'll be going with another vehicle or two. No biggie, just down to Baja California. I've done lots of desert trips down there.

BajaNomad - Salsipuedes Canyon by Fatbike - Powered by XMB

So it looks like I don't have to pop a ball joint, that's good. Only remove that 35 mm nut which might be tough.

Edit: do the photos in that link work? They are photobucket and they work for me but I downloaded that workaround thing.

 

[nc-grayson]

Highly recommend getting a spare in hand asap, and spend one hour in your garage swapping out non broken axle shafts so you can learn first hand how easy and fast it is. Not being an *******, but a lot easier than meets the surface.

This way youll be experienced, proficient, and know how to get your ass out of dodge with minimal stress and the confedence that you know what youre doing.

Piece of mind and a game plan is unfathomably underestimated.

 

[Unner]

Take the wheel off, pop the cap off the hub, take the 4 14mm bolts out of the LBJ and Spindle, take the large axle nut off and move the spindle to the side. Pop the CV out of the diff, and reverse all steps. It's not a hard job. Definitely not one you want to do out in the woods, but you should have the tools and parts to do a swap if you're going into remote areas. Replacing it is going to be easier than cutting it out...

You shouldn't break a CV unless you're wheeling very hard. Just be smart. No full lock, full throttle rock hopping. Then you are going to snap an axle. Otherwise, you should be fine.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Sometimes it's a pain popping the cv out of the diff. I've already pulled a cv apart trying to pry and pull it out.


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[pluton]

You shouldn't break a CV unless you're wheeling very hard. Just be smart. No full lock, full throttle rock hopping. Then you are going to snap an axle. Otherwise, you should be fine.

As Unner says, Just drive in such a way so as not to damage the vehicle.
If your purpose for your vehicle is to provide seat-of-the-pants 4WD thrill adventures, then maybe wait 'till you've got spares to carry.
I use my own vehicle for transportation, not for entertainment. YMMV.
I've driven several (4 or 5?) thousand miles on dirt roads(mostly desert: typically rocks and sand)) in 2 different CV-axled vehicles (both Toyota) over a 17 year period and never blown a CV, or been stuck, or broken down in any way. Had a front crank seal start leaking once...used about 1/3 quart of oil on a 700 mile Death Valley trip.

 

[sctrsk]

When you guys do trail repairs, what do you use to hold the spindle/axle while you are breaking that 150 ftlbs nut free? A helper pressing the brakes? Or some sort of long lever between the wheel studs? (I feel like that would damage it...)

 

[sleepydad]

When you guys do trail repairs, what do you use to hold the spindle/axle while you are breaking that 150 ftlbs nut free? A helper pressing the brakes? Or some sort of long lever between the wheel studs? (I feel like that would damage it...)

I carry my 24 volt impact, and a simple breaker bar. Rechargeable tools are very compact and powerful enough to do most jobs. Mine spins those lock nuts right off. It’s way more pain to get that dust cover off.

 

[tx_shooter]

Sometimes it's a pain popping the cv out of the diff. I've already pulled a cv apart trying to pry and pull it out.


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I had pretty close to that issue once and then I remembered to make sure the CV was level. I had a helper hold it level and it popped right out. YMMV

 

[Mark_BC]

When you guys do trail repairs, what do you use to hold the spindle/axle while you are breaking that 150 ftlbs nut free? A helper pressing the brakes? Or some sort of long lever between the wheel studs? (I feel like that would damage it...)

Can you bump it while the wheel is still on the ground, then take it the rest of the way off after the wheel is off?

Right now I have 4.1 gearing in the front and 4.3 in the back so that doesn't help the CV's. I'll only engage it when I need to on soft surfaces but I doubt I'll have the front diff swapped in time.