Does Jacking Stress CV Axle?

[Chops]

Does jacking a tire off the ground put stress on a CV axle? AI tells me “Yes” - especially on a compromised CV axle….

Maybe I should rotate my tires less often than Ford recommends?

Maybe the Tremor’s axles are designed differently to handle the droop of having a tire hanging off the ground while off-roading?

Edit…Grok AI

“When you jack up a car, the suspension droops, and the CV axle may extend to its maximum range of motion. This can place stress on the CV joints, especially if the car is lifted unevenly or excessively, causing the axle to angle sharply.

Lifting just one wheel (e.g., with a floor jack) can cause the CV axle on that side to extend more than usual, increasing stress on the joints. This is especially true for front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles where CV axles are critical components.

If the CV axle, joints, or boots are already worn or damaged, jacking the car may exacerbate existing issues, potentially leading to noise (clicking/popping), vibration, or failure.”

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[hdave]

It's only jacked up on each corner for 5 - 15 min so I doubt its a big deal.

 

[Rick65]

No, you put way more stress on a CV joint just turning your wheel to turn a corner. Combined with accelerating while turning is even more stress. Jacking your car up isn’t going to do anything.

 

[Chops]

No, you put way more stress on a CV joint just turning your wheel to turn a corner. Combined with accelerating while turning is even more stress. Jacking your car up isn’t going to do anything.

Good point - probably explains why the seal at the hubs leak more often than the seals at the PTU in most vehicles?

 

[Chops]

It's only jacked up on each corner for 5 - 15 min so I doubt its a big deal.

I shoot for the 5min or less. Only because I get nervous seeing the wheel-less brakes etc hanging out there. It does seem the Maverick’s CV axles aim pretty far downward even with the tires on…

 

[TwoTone]

Does jacking a tire off the ground put stress on a CV axle? AI tells me “Yes” - especially on a compromised CV axle….

Maybe I should rotate my tires less often than Ford recommends?

Maybe the Tremor’s axles are designed differently to handle the droop of having a tire hanging off the ground while off-roading?

Stop using AI- its garbage and has no idea if the article it's robbing from is even a reliable source.

 

[TwoTone]

I shoot for the 5min or less. Only because I get nervous seeing the wheel-less brakes etc hanging out there. It does seem the Maverick’s CV axles aim pretty far downward even with the tires on…

It doesn't matter if it's jacked up for an hour- nothing is going to explode.

 

[Timothyd]

Does jacking a tire off the ground put stress on a CV axle? AI tells me “Yes” - especially on a compromised CV axle….

Maybe I should rotate my tires less often than Ford recommends?

Maybe the Tremor’s axles are designed differently to handle the droop of having a tire hanging off the ground while off-roading?

Edit…Grok AI

“When you jack up a car, the suspension droops, and the CV axle may extend to its maximum range of motion. This can place stress on the CV joints, especially if the car is lifted unevenly or excessively, causing the axle to angle sharply.

Lifting just one wheel (e.g., with a floor jack) can cause the CV axle on that side to extend more than usual, increasing stress on the joints. This is especially true for front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles where CV axles are critical components.

If the CV axle, joints, or boots are already worn or damaged, jacking the car may exacerbate existing issues, potentially leading to noise (clicking/popping), vibration, or failure.”

The wheel assembly isn't being loaded so there's no problem.

 

[notfast]

Does jacking a tire off the ground put stress on a CV axle?

Only the CV boots. A CV axle has ball bearings inside sooo...there is basically zero stress on them when they are not under load (transferring motive power).

They are under a lot more stress when you, say, make a U-turn (full lock on the steering).

It doesn't matter if it's jacked up for an hour- nothing is going to explode.

It could be jacked up for ten years and the worst that could happen is the CV boots tear.

 

[dalola]

AI can be pretty stupid sometimes....

Jacking the car up with all suspension components intact keeps the CVJ's well within their spec'd range of motion. Where you get into trouble is if you drop a control arm or something, and let the knuckle move beyond it's normal range of motion.

 

[Chops]

So the forum busts another AI myth - jacking will not stress the CV axles appreciably as AI claimed.

Thanks all for clearing that up. I’ll stick to rotating my tires as required

 

[Chops]

AI can be pretty stupid sometimes....

Jacking the car up with all suspension components intact keeps the CVJ's well within their spec'd range of motion. Where you get into trouble is if you drop a control arm or something, and let the knuckle move beyond it's normal range of motion.

That makes sense - thanks!

But what is supporting the weight of the hanging tire? The spring maybe? That is meant to flex that much I imagine. I won’t ask AI lol.

 

[dalola]

That makes sense - thanks!

But what is supporting the weight of the hanging tire? The spring maybe? That is meant to flex that much I imagine. I won’t ask AI lol.

The suspension....by the very definition of the word.

 

[Howard]

Keep in mind what the A in AI stands for--Artifical--and that's what the answer is.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

But what is supporting the weight of the hanging tire? The spring maybe? That is meant to flex that much I imagine. I won’t ask AI lol.

the suspension sort of makes a 'triangle' with the frame, control arm/knuckle (whatever that's all called) and the suspension. Jacking it up lengthens the suspension but you're actually reducing stress on everything- watch the weight off the tire allow it to flex more (become more round instead of compressed at the bottom)

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