TheSamba.com :: View topic - T3 Technique Heavy Duty Hi-Angle CV Joints

Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:46 pm

Anyone using the T3 Technique heavy duty hi angle cv joint? What is your experience? Anyone have any info about the development? Are these custom made in china? They claim to give comparable performance to 930 joints without changing flanges and shafts.

Wed Apr 05, 2023 9:02 pm

dont know about those, but I got a lot of trouble free miles on German Lobro cv joints. I have had poor experience with cheap red china made empi brand cv joints however.

Thu Apr 06, 2023 5:43 am

Interesting. I wonder when these became available?

https://t3technique.com/collections/cv-parts-wheel...e-cv-joint

Thu Apr 06, 2023 8:58 am

These have been available for a long time. We started offering them about a year ago due to all of the failures of the GKN/Lobro CVs we've been seeing and getting reports of. But we didn't put them out there without thoroughly testing them first.

The CVs are a custom offering, made by Empi. However, they are not just stock replacement CVs. These particular CVs have articulation angles that match that of a stock 930 CV. They also have Chromoly cages for increased strength compared to the stock (or 944) CV. The surface finish of the ball tracks on both the outer housing and the inner star is very smooth (similar to a race-prepped CV) and the balls can move freely within the tracks (not super tight, almost locked, like the GKN/Lobro 944 CVs). This helps reduce heat in the CV and aids in articulation.

As a general rule, I will not put anything on our shelves that I haven't personally tested. I installed these CVs into my lifted Syncro and my lifted 1.8T 2wd about six years ago. I have about 100,000 miles on my 2wd and about 30,000 on my lifted Syncro, and those CVs have held up to a lot of hard use and show no signs of giving up anytime soon. And, just so you know, the Syncro was used in some pretty difficult off-road terrain, not just tarmac miles. Since April of last year, we've sold about 200 of them, and there has not been one single report of any problem whatsoever. Conversely, in that same time frame, I've received several reports of the GKN/Lobro 944 CVs failing prematurely.

Anyway, the point is that I would not be offering them if I didn't believe they are a great alternative. That's pretty much the mantra of the T3 Technique business.

Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:08 am

dobryan wrote: Interesting. I wonder when these became available?

Agreed, its like some Vanagon Science was inadvertently deleted in a parallel universe.
Maybe because they’ve been “in testing”?

Edit——looks like I took a little too long to compose my post😂😂

Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:34 am

Perfect timing. I believe I popped another front joint last night pulling into camp.

Thu Apr 06, 2023 10:41 am

I've just purchased a set to go in my lifted 2WD to go along with a SubaruGears install, hopefully soon.

Thu Apr 06, 2023 10:55 am

Very compelling. Ive had great luck with the Empi long travel CV boots that T3 is also selling. So far they are the only boots that have held up for me over any period of time. As someone who has always had CV issues, and who just cant quite get himself to spend the big bucks on a 930 conversion, the combination of these CV's and the boots could be great.

Thu Apr 06, 2023 12:49 pm

Agreed. I am thinking those are my next set of CVs when any of my current ones wear out.

Thu Apr 06, 2023 1:51 pm

Is there a certain degree of angle that is considered hi-angle? Would this be measured at ride height or full droop? At ride height I'm reading about 9º angle but have seen other threads say that 18º is the max angle for stock CV's and I'm running GKN Loebro axle assemblies.

Thu Apr 06, 2023 2:02 pm

The maximum CV angle limit would be either full droop or full compression.
In the case of the Vanagon it makes sense that full droop would exceed full compression.

Tue Aug 29, 2023 8:49 pm

Just got mine today from Chris. these will replace 944 joints that are clicking badly and causing vibration at ~40 mph but were abused when car was stolen, or at least thats what ill blame the abuse on. 1.5" lift with suby powerplant and oversize tires (265/65/17) on an auto. Will report back if i am able to get them installed in time for a labor day trip. I am not looking forward to the mess, but they are nice feeling parts. Paired with swepco open gear grease also from T3. Hoping my clicking days are behind me. Per website these are narrower than stock. i ordered spacers previously from Chris along with 12pt bolts and believe between that and the heavy duty boots with milled bases i can make it work re bolt length but I havent yet pulled the axles.

Wed Aug 30, 2023 9:30 am

Christopher Schimke wrote:

As a general rule, I will not put anything on our shelves that I haven't personally tested. I installed these CVs into my lifted Syncro and my lifted 1.8T 2wd about six years ago. I have about 100,000 miles on my 2wd and about 30,000 on my lifted Syncro, and those CVs have held up to a lot of hard use and show no signs of giving up anytime soon. And, just so you know, the Syncro was used in some pretty difficult off-road terrain, not just tarmac miles. Since April of last year, we've sold about 200 of them, and there has not been one single report of any problem whatsoever. Conversely, in that same time frame, I've received several reports of the GKN/Lobro 944 CVs failing prematurely.

Anyway, the point is that I would not be offering them if I didn't believe they are a great alternative. That's pretty much the mantra of the T3 Technique business.

Damn, that's what we love about Chris / T3!

Wed Aug 30, 2023 10:28 am

Your caliper is on the wrong setting, you gotta click on the millimeter setting, inches is useless, you make us convert.
That's a 32mm CV joint.

Wed Aug 30, 2023 10:37 am

ALIKA T3 wrote: Your caliper is on the wrong setting, you gotta click on the millimeter setting, inches is useless, you makes us convert.

Wed Aug 30, 2023 8:41 pm

ALIKA T3 wrote: Your caliper is on the wrong setting, you gotta click on the millimeter setting, inches is useless, you make us convert.
That's a 32mm CV joint.

Sorry Alika, I work in imperial all day long at work. I consider metric my 'recreational system'. So clearly i was still in 'work mode'. Ill look it up, im sure theres a 12 step program to help me. Or maybe its a 10 step program....

Wed Aug 30, 2023 8:49 pm

Hahaha that's great.

Upon inspection of some CV's I'm rebuilding I noticed major pitting so I just ordered a set of these HD units too. Hope I don't have to revisit CV maintenance for some time again!

Thu Aug 31, 2023 3:44 am

eghall wrote: ALIKA T3 wrote: Your caliper is on the wrong setting, you gotta click on the millimeter setting, inches is useless, you make us convert.
That's a 32mm CV joint.

Sorry Alika, I work in imperial all day long at work. I consider metric my 'recreational system'. So clearly i was still in 'work mode'. Ill look it up, im sure theres a 12 step program to help me. Or maybe its a 10 step program....

:D :D :D

Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:40 am

2wd with GW 1.5" lift springs. I have blown another set of 944 joints after ~40k miles. Some major pitting on the inner race. I ensured the joints were put together correctly and clocked.

Reaching out to T3 Technique on recommendations - likely going to try these out. Curious if Chris will recommend the spacers he sells. I am likely to change to the Schwenk springs with a shim lift.

Tue Jan 09, 2024 2:03 pm

I bought a set to rebuild my front axles.
Some things to be aware of.

T3 HD CVs.... are 32mm wide. (1.259 inches)
944 CVs are 34mm wide.
I don't know how wide the OEM CVs are.

Anyway using 2 CVs on a rear axle, your axle will be 1+1=2mm shorter.
And your bolts will go 2mm deeper into the flange holes.

So before you loosen your CV bolts, look at where they come out of the holes
(at full torque) to ensure there's gonna be space for 2mm MORE extension.