CEN cvds, arms and hubs on a savage

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by Jahay

Firstly Linc! Thanks for being the guinea pig!
Secondly! thanks for getting on this asap!

Now it is question time...

Just the man I have been waiting on!!!

I will answer your questions in numerical order, in another color.

1. Width.
Obviosuly the LST will offer a wider stance, due to the longer arms and wider protruding hub. But is the CEN Kit overall wider than the savage arms and hub or a tiny bit narrower?

Was not really looking at this, but since you ask. I have a feeling once you get the hex adapters on the cen axles it will turn out wider than the savage stuff. Not a bunch, and most likely not as wide as the lst2 stuff.

2. Bearings.
Wouldnt it just be possible to get rubber sheilded bearings instead of the metal face ones or would there be a fitment problem? And do you think the LST 3 bearing mod would be better than the CEN 2 bearings?

Given the axle size and the large bearing spacing I think the cen bearing setup is stronger than the stock lst bearing setup. I think the 3 bearing mod for the lst helps spread the load compared to stock lst stuff. Ultimately I think the cen hub is stronger than the lst, so I think the whole cen assembly can handle more than even the lst 3 bearing setup. And yes, you can get rubber sheilded bearings. the outers are common 8x16x4, and the inners are 10x19x7. VXB list rubber sealed ones for 4.50. I am sure they can be had in multiples cheaper.

3. Do you think the lower arm of the CEN is weaker than the savage arm? and does it accept the stock savage hinge pin that fits through the bulk?

Nope, I think it is about as strong. Only thing I question is how the hub is attached to the lower arm. Pin size seems a bit small, must be around 3mm or so. P/n is gs027, 3x44 threaded. The arm attaches exactly the same way the savage does, save for not having the little piece that laps over the hingepin brace on the bumper end of the bulk. Stock pins fit, and there is no slack at all.

4.Would there be any problems mounting the stock shocks or would mods have to be made?

No idea, have not got that far. The cen uses 2 shocks per arm, like the X. I am sure they can just be bolted back on with the appropriate type of fastener. As for a single shock, should work like the flux does. I will mock shocks up when I get a chance.

5. Do you think the Hubs on the LST2 are thicker and tougher (considering you can get alloy ones) than the CEN ones? and which one do you believe offers more steering throw?

Will check on steering throw. I think the stock hubs are stronger then the stock lst2, but I am sure the new era lst2 hubs are stronger. But these will likely be stronger still: http://cgi.ebay.com/ALUMINUM-F-R-KNU...item19b7c3c946

6. The CEN doesnt have the style or rear hub like the LST or the possible use of the savage tie rod delete. Does this mean the CEn would neeed a rear turnbuckle supported of the bulkhead?

So far yes it will require a turnbuckle. I am looking into other options.

7. Diff Axles and CVDs.
Obviously the CVDs are going to be the strongest... but are they hollow? the look hollow to me for some reason, otherwise they must be very heavy?
Does a CEN Axle really need to be used? Why couldnt the SHD axle be used... there maybe a little movement but the large pins should keep it in place right? But in your opinion do you think the vorza axle could work... here are a couple of pics compared to an SHD axle... it seems almost exactly the same?

Ok, I think you are confusing what I mean by axles. Axles are the part that the wheel hex mounts to. With the lst2 and the cen they are part of the cvd assembly, with the savage they are spereate and have a dogbone cup for the dogbone to interface with.

I do not think the cen cvds are hollow. They are not as light as the lst2 and are very well built.

Now the pics you reference are what I call diff outputs, or diff output cups. The pin does not locate any cvd or dogbone in the diff output, it only provides a method to transfer the rotational force. The ball part of the driveshaft (cvd or bone) locates the shaft in the diff output in all directions as the output turns. So it is very important that the ball matches the inside of the output as closely as possible to avoid alot of wobbling as the shaft turns. Hope that makes sense. Only way to know if your vorza part will wotk would be to stick a cen cvd in there.

In your honest opinion... what do you think would be tougher... (not easier to install) yes the lst2 hubs require moving the savage arm furthur out, but do you think the custom hinge pin braces are just as strong as utilising the stock bulk and crappy stock bulk braces?

Unless you have titanium arms, or mange to pull directly on the pin I really do not see how any impact could damage either setup before the arm tore off the hingepin. That being said I have seen stock plastic X bulks torn in the area where the hingepin goes thru. I can only imagine that al arms were on this, as the plastic arms are just not strong enough to resist tearing thru the hingepin holes.

The strongest setup would be a set of al bulks, with either the stock savvy arm or these cen arms, as the pin travel thru the bulk in the middle. I doubt you would be able to dmamge that.

I am confident my lst setup will resist breakage, and always run plastic arms as I would rather tear an arm off than damage a bulk. However I plan to run the cen setup with my set of GH bulks, so I may have to stock up on cen arms!!!

Thanks linc

you are very welcome, I cannot remember anyone being so interested in my projects before, nice to have you here!