The LR4 — Crossing America Offroad with Tom Collins at the helm!

[Ryanmb21]

How are these guys dealing with scurvy? :sombrero: Cool trip - would love to do it sometime - cool that Land Rover is doing it.

 

[Scott Brady]

This is the first I have seen of a CV failure. I am sure there is far more to the story.

 

[David Harris]

This is the first I have seen of a CV failure. I am sure there is far more to the story.

His facebook post only says that he was in a rocky section and the CV broke from "axle wind-up". It was a front CV and he made it back in 3 wheel drive. He's waiting for a new one to be fed-ex'd in. I've been over Black Bear many times, though not in the last few years, and there aren't any really bad sections that I remember. I'll ask him for more details.

Here's the link to the post: https://www.facebook.com/groups/landrovernationalrally/ Not sure if you have to be a member of the Solihull Society to access this group though.

David

 

[David Harris]

His facebook post only says that he was in a rocky section and the CV broke from "axle wind-up". It was a front CV and he made it back in 3 wheel drive. He's waiting for a new one to be fed-ex'd in. I've been over Black Bear many times, though not in the last few years, and there aren't any really bad sections that I remember. I'll ask him for more details.

Here's the link to the post: https://www.facebook.com/groups/landrovernationalrally/ Not sure if you have to be a member of the Solihull Society to access this group though.

David

Here's a pic of the broken CV:

 

[Antichrist]

This is the first I have seen of a CV failure. I am sure there is far more to the story.

Google Discovery 4 broken CV, you'll find a number of D3 and D4 broken/cracked CV's.

 

[David Harris]

Google Discovery 4 broken CV, you'll find a number of D3 and D4 broken/cracked CV's.

Like this one from the UK: http://www.disco3club.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=389

Sounds like these guys are very acquainted with replacing broken CV's on the LR3.

 

[chris snell]

Like this one from the UK: http://www.disco3club.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=389

Sounds like these guys are very acquainted with replacing broken CV's on the LR3.

...usually due to inappropriate application of torque at extended height and extreme steering angles...

There you have it.

 

[David Harris]

Which is usually when most IFS systems have trouble. All it takes is one wheel losing traction momentarily under power and then regaining it. . . Snap! from the shock-loading, especially with taller, heavier tires. In extended height mode the LR3/4 is near the top of the CV range so there isn't much leeway.

 

[EricTyrrell]

Cue for an SFA/IFS debate?

 

[David Harris]

Cue for an SFA/IFS debate?

Well IFS definitely requires more finesse with the throttle to make it survive. I used to run a Jeep KJ off road and those would snap CV's just like this. The CV's survived better when an ARB locker was installed in the front, since it would keep one wheel from losing traction independently of the other. However, when really pushed, the weak link became the aluminum diff housing which would shatter into pieces instead of the CV's. A SFA can break CV's like this too if a slipping wheel catches traction abruptly under too much power, such as when attempting a steep low traction climb where you are bouncing the front tires trying to get up. Bottom line is there are more weak links to fail in an IFS by nature of its design. Its only advantage is on-road, not off.

 

[LR Max]

Cue for an SFA/IFS debate?

Meh. In reality if you are staying sub-35" tire it doesn't matter. You aren't pushing the truck THAT much. Also if you are looking to run 35" tire, you aren't looking at a LR3 or LR4 (unless you are like, I am going to do something completely different, lemme get my welder).

For your average trails, its fine. Then it brings epic win on the road, especially when you have to do 400 highway miles to do 20 off road.

 

[David Harris]

Also if you are looking to run 35" tire, you aren't looking at a LR3 or LR4 (unless you are like, I am going to do something completely different, lemme get my welder).

Straight axle LR3?

 

[EricTyrrell]

Straight axle LR3?

 

[overlander]

Well IFS definitely requires more finesse with the throttle to make it survive. I used to run a Jeep KJ off road and those would snap CV's just like this. The CV's survived better when an ARB locker was installed in the front, since it would keep one wheel from losing traction independently of the other. However, when really pushed, the weak link became the aluminum diff housing which would shatter into pieces instead of the CV's. A SFA can break CV's like this too if a slipping wheel catches traction abruptly under too much power, such as when attempting a steep low traction climb where you are bouncing the front tires trying to get up. Bottom line is there are more weak links to fail in an IFS by nature of its design. Its only advantage is on-road, not off.

CV's breaking due to lock loading from pouring on the power to get over an obstacle is turning this into a diesel vs petrol argument. Low RPM torque curve of diesels mean you don't have to "gun it" to get over.

 

[bobDog]

Also keep in mind, that having grown up in the West, but now living in the East, I can tell you that this story is going to be of interest to all of us in the East, as just getting to something dirt is a challenge in the East. The Eastern seaboard is the land of private property and excessive management of the limited public use outdoor spaces. Any dirt road that is not your local knowledge or part of a limited National Park site would require a lot of research. I hate it after growing up in the vastness of BLM territory but there it is. So all you folks in the four corner states please consider how fortunate you are, and appreciate that any articles that illuminate untapped outdoor resources (like the Eastern sections of the TAT) are breadcrumbs for those of us Easterners that are less fortunate.

That said, if there is ever an opportunity to get the hell out of the East and get back to the four corners region, I'm taking it. Don't fence me in.

Well that pretty much convinces me that I'm living in the nice side of the country and makes me wonder why anyone that likes off roading would move to the east.