Worried About CV Joint During Lift Installation

alext72888

New member
I'm getting ready to install a lift and I was watching this video where they pry the LCA down in order to fit the larger strut assembly.

The whole time I was cringing hoping they wouldn't pull it down too lower and damage the CV joint. At what angle should I start to worry about the cv joint? All I know is that people say to "be careful" but don't give any specifics. Would the sway bar prevent the LCA from swinging down too low?

If anyone has any photos or descriptions of angles I should stay away from that would help a lot.

Here is a still of the video I was referring to. How "extreme" of an angle is that cv joint for the installation process?

Bv89p9S.jpg
 
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There are so many things wrong with this I don’t even know where to begin.

Have you read the install threads on this forum for lifting with kdss?

Also can you please post a link to the video?

Edit: whoops see you linked it now.
 
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I have indeed read them but none talked about cv angle limits during installation.

Online there are estimate ranges of 20 to 40 degree angles being the max.
 
I'm getting ready to install a lift and I was watching this video where they pry the LCA down in order to fit the larger strut assembly.

The whole time I was cringing hoping they wouldn't pull it down too lower and damage the CV joint. At what angle should I start to worry about the cv joint? All I know is that people say to "be careful" but don't give any specifics. Would the sway bar prevent the LCA from swinging down too low?

If anyone has any photos or descriptions of angles I should stay away from that would help a lot.

Here is a still of the video I was referring to. How "extreme" of an angle is that cv joint for the installation process?
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/154230-how-lift-installation-kdss-equipped-vehicles.html

pictures are nuked now, but someone was kind enough to create, post, and host PDFs here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...on-kdss-equipped-vehicles-12.html#post2765718
 
CV angle is a concern when everything is back together and power is being applied through the CV joints.

During installation, the only real worry would be damaging the boots
 
Just to add a bit - the CV joints are very strong on these. You could not physically break it by hand or even with a 3 foot pry bar. It's when you have too much angle and then apply the vehicle's power to it that it can be damaged. Don't worry about it during install at all other than don't cut the rubber boots.
 
With that setup they have there - I'm having trouble seeing how that would work at all. I guess with a big enough pry bar with a big enough guy standing on it.......

Just remove the two bolts on either side of the lower ball joint to release it from the knuckle. Problem solved. Then loosen up the bolts holding the lower control arm and the arm will just fall. No big pry bar needed.

edit: and wear something better than flip-flops when standing on a pry bar. Good lord.
 
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Just to add a bit - the CV joints are very strong on these. You could not physically break it by hand or even with a 3 foot pry bar. It's when you have too much angle and then apply the vehicle's power to it that it can be damaged. Don't worry about it during install at all other than don't cut the rubber boots.

Thank you sir! This answer was helpful.
 
With that setup they have there - I'm having trouble seeing how that would work at all. I guess with a big enough pry bar with a big enough guy standing on it.......

Just remove the two bolts on either side of the lower ball joint to release it from the knuckle. Problem solved. Then loosen up the bolts holding the lower control arm and the arm will just fall. No big pry bar needed.

edit: and wear something better than flip-flops when standing on a pry bar. Good lord.

The flip flops are key, it definitely wouldn’t work with supportive shoes.
 

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