CV Joint operating angle

[Ant]

I have a set of chrome moly 6 ball & cage inner/outer joints and 300m axles etc built to handle over 600bhp at the wheels!! I have just checked the angle of the axles and they are around 6 degrees uppermost at the wheel,
I was sort of hoping the angle was less, anyone have any tips on cv joint angulation, the inner cv joint will hit the top suspension arm if I raise the diff so I am stuck with this angle!

Maybe the only issue I will have will be a slight hp loss at high speeds?

[LMH]

Hey AJ
I can remember when I was into VW's that some of the off road guys were running 930 CV joints at around 25 degrees. I would think 6 would be OK but someone correct me if I'm wrong.
BTW, is that measured at ride height?
Larry

[Ant]

Gooday Larry,

Measured at ride height, but I have made a mistake in the length between joint centres, the angle is actually a mere 4 degrees! I have read where some angle is better than none so the joint balls wear over a larger bearing area.

[LMH]

Yeah, I'd say some angle is needed. Otherwise, it won't lube the internals.
4 degrees sounds like it would just fine.
Larry

[Ant]

Larry, thats a good way of putting it. I have since read on the net where over 5 degrees can cause some vibration etc (at high speed) with some types of cv joint, so we are on the right side hopefully.

[mr bruce]

Check with the Kirkhams, they've changed over from standard U- joints to C-Vs, I'm sure they did all the research for optimum settup

[joyridin']

I was told a few years ago by a custom driveline manufacturer that you can run up to 26 degrees on a CV joint. Anything past 15 degrees and they get pretty weak, but it can be done. You should run a minimum of 2 degrees for lubrication of the bearings to take place.

[vector1]

set it up so under acceleration the shafts are straight as possible, cruising doesn't matter, some angle is probably better for lube. all imo.