Just as a warning to those on here that think "new" parts are all good.............

fitted 4 brand new but non OE 100mm lobro type cv joints to the back end of my locost when I built it.

These are as fitted to sierra XR4x4 and granada etc so should surely be pretty strong......................

well er no!!

I have now broken one at the sum total of 250 miles. I can only guess that they failed to harden the centre, as the splines have ripped clean out of it.

Thankfully it somehow managed not to damage my berrisford driveshafts, or I would have been REALLY angry!!

I have now fitted a used std ford joint and what I thought was diff play has now disappeared.

Now ok I have thrashed it pretty mercilessly but surely a granada cv joint should be safe in a 550kg locost!!!

Now I just have to work out why the diff is spitting oil out the breather, don't think its overfull.

Plus side is it is driving a treat, awesomely fast (though I am now used to the power and could use some more!!!! )

[Edited on 11/6/07 by NS Dev]

were the splines the right size, I've had problems being supplied the correct joints even though I asked for the right bits, from the low cost CV joint suppliers. To the point where I measured all the dimensions between the old one and the replacement before I fitted it. I also found they had sent me an oversize snap ring PLUS I ended up fitting what they told me where two near side CV joints as they reckoned one side was different to the other even though I pointed out I had the two off the car sat in front of me and they were identical.

They *touch wood* have been fine so far and were about 1/10th the cost of genuine Mazda items (fitted to the front of a V6 323)

[Edited on 11/6/07 by 12a RX-7]

[Edited on 11/6/07 by 12a RX-7]

yep definitely the right size and spline, all 4 went on just the same, the other 3 still are ok, that one has no splines in the middle now!!

Hi Nat,

I work for one of those low cost CV joint manufacturers. Do the joints have any special markings on them or a clue as to who made them? You may not be able to tell from the box as many low cost items are re-branded.
You are looking for numbers and maybe a logo or letters that could hint at the companys name, sometimes forged in or laser etched.

I kept quiet when you were looking for some joints as we dont go by vehicle types - only the part number or family series reference and also i probe couldnt have got some unless you wanted a 1000 or so at a time.



We are not one of the cheapest low cost manufacturers. We have specialist material testing lab gear and very expensive production equipment, but i do know that there are some right nasty stuff out there. Luckily most of the main UK and Europe buyers know what they are looking for and at least do try to spec the correct product. My company has actually been getting copied, ie nasty Chinese manufacturers are copying our Chinese logo's etc - i guess this is a strange kind of flattery!!

I will have a look tonight Darren!

I'm just glad that the shafts were hardened, as it hasn't touched the spline, which says something about how soft the joint must have been on the inside!!