CV axle help

[MudBug]

So Im having trouble rapping me head around designing/buying parts for a irs with cv axles. I found Theo's design of his irs and really like it, but he said those cv axles could only hold 30-50hp. I plan on running a 500-700cc sled engine so i need some stout cv axles. These look purddy but spendy as heck, i know an irs isnt ever cheap but wow.http://www.desertkarts.com/item105555.ctlg . Is there anything similar to these from a car, vw maybe? Im mostly hitting a brick wall fiding a way to connect the cv to a sprocket and also to a hub/wheel, any pics or ideas here? I was hoping to use u-joints for simplicity but those wont hold up correct? This rearend idea is what im after but dual a-arms. I know this is complicated but as newer manufacturing engineer student i have most of the tools needed at home except the big ones. The cnc, lathe etc are all at school a my disposal thankfully.

 

[91blaze]

I know 4x4 vehicles with IFS (Independent Front Suspension) use cv axles, they're about $60 each. If you could find a 4x4 from the junkyard, you could get the whole front suspension with the hubs included, but that would probably be pretty expensive as well.

 

[91blaze]

Here is the link for the axle: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...itrgoZ6o2dc?itemIdentifier=26755_0_4302_78656

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I really do think that unless you have access to a machine shop, what you want to build is gonna be "spendy", no matter what you do.

 

[91blaze]

If you have the money, then go for it. The cheapest way I can think of is to find a junk vehicle (or two) to salvage the front end out of. This would be a pretty heavy set up though unless you can find a way to lighten things up.

EDIT: If you have the cnc, lathe, etc like you say then it shouldn't be too hard to make some sort of attachment between the hub and wheel.

 

[ArachnidBrosMN]

If you've ever seen underside of the back of a Toyota Rav4, they are pretty neatly set up. Complete independent rear suspension with a differential nestled in the middle. Here is the whole set-up for sale on Ebay... I'm sure a guy could strip it down for less weight, and put weaker springs in it.... If I was starting a new buggy and wanted full IRS, I would start with this.. already have the A-arms, CV joints, bearings and everything. Then you could put more money towards your 1,000cc two-stroke sled engine!!!!! Yeee Hawww!!
Sounds like fun!!http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOYOTA-RAV4...-USED-/270809606171?item=270809606171&vxp=mtr

 

[91blaze]

If you're looking to build a small gokart, the suspension from a 4x4 would probably be a a bit much. But perhaps if you were building a larger buggy or sandrail, this would work well. As a matter of fact, I have been pondering the idea of building a 4x4 sandrail-type vehicle... if only I had the time and money.

 

[MudBug]

Well i found this on CL right after i started this thread. Looks beefy but kind of the idea im going for with the cv's.http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/pts/3014829587.html
Here's how my kart sits now, just a bare fram and some mesh flooring.

So the lack of stuff has let my imagination go wild.

 

[ArachnidBrosMN]

Hey, that's a cool frame... imagine it about 2 feet off the ground using your half-shafts. You've got your work cut out for you that's for sure.... after building tons of A-arms for the two karts I have... I'm kinda wishing I just bought an ifs 4 wheeler front end, and a 4 wheeler irs back-end and just built a go-kart between them!!

 

[MudBug]

Hey, that's a cool frame... imagine it about 2 feet off the ground using your half-shafts. You've got your work cut out for you that's for sure.... after building tons of A-arms for the two karts I have... I'm kinda wishing I just bought an ifs 4 wheeler front end, and a 4 wheeler irs back-end and just built a go-kart between them!!

I will be buying a yfz450 front end, spindles, brakes, dual a-arms and maybe shocks. The rear end will be the challenge for irs. And my frame will be getting plenty of struses and some front bars, so it'll be a handful.

 

[bighead]

It's going to be wide with A-arms right?

I got an FL250 J-arms suspension I will sale you. I live in Portland. It's not like A-arms but it's simple and cheap.

 

[MudBug]

It's going to be wide with A-arms right?

I got an FL250 J-arms suspension I will sale you. I live in Portland. It's not like A-arms but it's simple and cheap.

I dont know how wide it'll be, hopefully not to wide. It'll be my sand, snow, mud and trail kart so being super wide isnt what im after. I dont want it to tip over from being to narrow, but i dont need the wingspan of a 747 lol. Yea i saw that a couple days ago, if you still have them come summer time I'll have to buy them. The mudbug and motorcraft 3 wheeler are taking priority right now so i gotta get those done for summer riding.

 

[MudBug]

So would most small car cv axles work, or could be made to work? What cv axles have some of you used or have seen that were used?

 

[91blaze]

The link I gave shows the same thing I have on my blazer. I went out and measured, they are about 10" long. And they should be able to stand up to whatever abuse you put them through. And a word of warning- if you go with the 4x4 front end, watch the angle of the axles so you don't break something. The angle of the ones on that cart is fine, but just be careful.

 

[MudBug]

Ok well I'll go cruising the local junk yards on CL and see whats out there for diameter, length, and connections.