Post by HighProtein on May 5, 2005 2:47:12 GMT -5
2WD
The normal transfer case position selected when driving on the street & highway.
2WD Low
Is an optional low range kit for the NVG 231 transfer case that disconnects
the front drive output inside the transfer case offering the slow control
of 4WD Low with the turning capabilities of 2WD.
This is particularly useful when on tight trails that have limited turning radiuses.
4WD High
Can be selected for all wheel traction at higher speeds (20-45mph).
4WD Low
Is selected for slow moving traction & control.
This is the gear generally selected for trail driving & rock crawling.
Anti Sway Bar
Commonly referred to as ‘sway bar’ prevents body roll &
keeps the vehicle from swaying back & forth at highway
speeds, this gives car-like handling characteristics.
When off-road the sway bars will reduce articulation
unless they are disconnected
Articulation
Articulation refers to suspension flexibility that allows the veh
tires to remain in contact with the ground while driving over uneven terrain.
Axle
The completed assembly of differential, shafts, bearings & seals necessary
to transfer power from the driveshaft to the wheels.
Ball Joint
They mount the steering knuckle to the axle assembly inner C-Yoke,
or to the IFS control arms. Ball joints allow the knuckle to pivot when steering the veh.
Bump steer
Bump steer is when a veh pulls or shoots off to one direction as the suspension is compressed or extended (when going over bumps in the road).
C-clip
The C-clip is used in Dana 35 & Chrysler 8.25” rear axles.
The C-Clip is a retaining clip that holds the axle shaft into
the differential carrier inside the axle housing.
If the C-clip breaks or the shaft breaks, the axle shaft will
be able to slide out of the vehicle.
This can be very dangerous in off-road situations that are off camber, or vertical.
Coil Springs
An alternative to leaf springs for achieving desired height.
Coil springs consist of multiple wraps of steel wire of a specific load rating.
Control Arm
The control arm is what holds the axle underneath the veh & keeps it located correctly under torque.
CV Drive Shaft
A common term used to describe a driveshaft with a double cardan joint to reduce vibration at steeper driveshaft angles on lifted vehicles.
Differential
The differential transfers power from the driveshaft, through the axle shafts to the wheels.
There are many different types of differentials such as; open, limited-slip, locking, etc.
See Locker and Open Differential for more details.
DOM
Is the abbreviated name given to a specific type of steel tubing.
Drawn Over Mandrel refers to the process that is used to manufacture the tubing.
DOM tubing has superior strength and dependability characteristics compared to other types of tubing; specifically DOM is seamless.
Drag Link
The drag link connects the pitman arm to the steering knuckle & enables the vehicle to turn via the steering wheel.
Driveshaft
The driveshaft transfers power from the transfer case to the axles.
Driveshaft Angle
The driveshaft angle is the angle that a driveshaft must be at to connect the transfer case to the axle. On lifted, short wheel base vehicles (SWB) the driveshaft angle can often be quite severe.
Full Float
An axle design where the vehicle weight is supported by a spindle and wheel bearing assembly.
The axle shaft is used only to transmit power to the wheel through a drive flange or lockout hub assembly.
GVWR
Gross Veh Weight Rating is the maximum amount that the veh can weigh with full fuel, passengers & gear. This number is provided by the vehicle manufacturer & must not be exceeded.
High Pinion Axle
A high pinion axle housing design has the pinion shaft entering the housing above the axle tube centerline. The ring and pinion gear teeth are cut in the opposite direction to allow this relocation of the pinion shaft entry point. Sometimes this axle is mistakenly called a “reverse rotation” axle but this is not correct. The ring and pinion still rotate in the same direction but the tooth pattern is reverse cut allowing the driving force to be carried on the stronger side of the ring gear teeth when a high pinion axle is used in the front of a 4wd veh. When used in the rear of a 4wd veh some strength is lost since the driving force is applied to the weaker side of the ring gear teeth. For this reason many people choose to install a Heavy Duty 60 series axle such as the Tera CRD 60 in the rear of a light weight veh.
IFS
Independent Front Suspension refers to a vehicle suspension design where the front knuckles mount to the frame through ball joints and some type of upper and lower A-arms. This design allows either side to travel up and down independent of the opposite side. IFS has been used for many years in cars, and is now common in 4 wd vehicles.
Knuckle
The knuckle connects the wheel assembly to the axle housing inner knuckle or C-Yoke through 2 pivot points and creates a mounting point for axle components such as tie rods, unibearings or hubs, brakes, etc.
LCA
The lower control arm is a suspension component that connects the axle to the frame of the vehicle.
These can be lengthened and shortened to fine tune alignment & pinion angle.
Leaf Spring
The most traditional suspension design until the mid 1990’s.
Leaf springs utilize an arched steel strap that is heat treated and combined into a multiple leaf pack to give the vehicle its intended height.
Leaf springs are very stable & offer a relatively stiff ride.
Locker
A locking differential provides equal torque to the vehicle’s wheels by forcing both axles to turn at the same speed. A selectable locker like the TeraFlex T-Locker can be turned on or off with a switch and allows open differential driving while on the road, & a locked differential when off-roading.
Long Arm
Lower long arms increase the arm length by almost double in most cases, & will provide the vehicle with increased on road drivability and off road articulation.
Nodular Iron
Nodular Iron (Ductile) is a cast iron that has been treated while molten with an element such as magnesium or cerium to induce the formation of free graphite as nodules, which imparts a measurable degree of ductility to the cast metal. Nodular iron is commonly used in casting automotive differential housings.
Open Differential
An open differential allows different wheel speeds for smooth turns on high traction surfaces.
This is great for driving on the road, but in low traction situations the open differential allows all veh torque to be transmitted to the wheel with the least amount of traction.
Pitman Arm
The pitman arm connects the steering box to the drag link. On lifted Jeeps a drop pitman arm is usually needed to restore proper steering linkage geometry.
Ring & Pinion
The ring and pinion transfer power from the driveshaft to the axle shafts.
Ring & pinions come in various ratios to allow the wheels to turn at a different rate than the transfer case.
Ring & pinions consist of a smaller gear (pinion) which turns a larger circular gear (ring).
Revolver Shackle
The Revolver Shackle is a unique shackle that is hinged to allow additional articulation & down travel.
It also will help to reduce leaf spring stress when under articulation.
RTI
RTI or ramp travel index is a measurement of a vehicle’s suspension flex or articulation. This can help to show areas that need attention before the vehicle is taken off-road, or to measure for new components such as shocks or brake lines.
Semi-Float
An axle shaft that transmits the vehicle’s power or torque to the wheel, and carries a portion of the vehicle’s weight. A semi-float axle shaft is held into the axle housing with a wheel bearing retainer plate or C-clip.
Short Shaft
A slip yoke eliminator or short shaft kit replaces the transfer case output shaft with a much shorter shaft that accepts a fixed yoke and seal assembly. This allows the use of a CV driveshaft that is longer and can handle a more severe driveshaft angle caused by increased veh lift.
Solid Axle
A solid axle refers to the complete differential housing that is rigid from axle flange to axle flange (or knuckle to knuckle). The solid axle has many features that are desirable for off-roading such as increased articulation potential.
Tie Rod
The tie rod is part of the steering linkage, connecting both knuckles on a steering axle allowing the vehicle to turn. A bent tie rod is a common failure on the trail and results in your tires being excessively ‘toed-in’.
Track Bar
The track bar locates your axle side to side underneath the veh. The track bar must be modified or relocated when the vehicle is lifted to compensate for the additional lift. If it is not re-located the axle will be offset from the center of the vehicle and can result in adverse handling characteristics.
Transfer Case
A gearbox that allows the power from the transmission to be transferred to both the front and rear axle equally. It also allows the driver to shift from 2WD high to 4WD high, and 4WD low
UCA
The upper control arm connects the frame to the axle & can be lengthened or shortened to fine tune the alignment & pinion angle.
U-Joint
Short for universal joint, the u-joint is a coupling device that connects the drive shaft to the yoke and allows the drive shaft to operate at an angle. U-joints are also used in front steering axles to connect the inner axle shaft to the outer axle shaft or stub shaft, & allow the vehicle to turn and still transfer power to the wheels.
Yoke
Yokes connect the drive shafts to the transfer case and axles via u-joints. 2 yoke styles are used. One style uses straps and small head bolts & the other uses u-bolts with washers & nuts to secure the u-joint.
Z-Box
The Z-Box replaces the factory leaf spring mount on the vehicle frame. The Z-Box opens up during axle droop & works in conjunction with the Revolver Shackle to reduce spring stress & maintain proper driveshaft angles. The opposing construction allows only one side to open at a time.
The normal transfer case position selected when driving on the street & highway.
2WD Low
Is an optional low range kit for the NVG 231 transfer case that disconnects
the front drive output inside the transfer case offering the slow control
of 4WD Low with the turning capabilities of 2WD.
This is particularly useful when on tight trails that have limited turning radiuses.
4WD High
Can be selected for all wheel traction at higher speeds (20-45mph).
4WD Low
Is selected for slow moving traction & control.
This is the gear generally selected for trail driving & rock crawling.
Anti Sway Bar
Commonly referred to as ‘sway bar’ prevents body roll &
keeps the vehicle from swaying back & forth at highway
speeds, this gives car-like handling characteristics.
When off-road the sway bars will reduce articulation
unless they are disconnected
Articulation
Articulation refers to suspension flexibility that allows the veh
tires to remain in contact with the ground while driving over uneven terrain.
Axle
The completed assembly of differential, shafts, bearings & seals necessary
to transfer power from the driveshaft to the wheels.
Ball Joint
They mount the steering knuckle to the axle assembly inner C-Yoke,
or to the IFS control arms. Ball joints allow the knuckle to pivot when steering the veh.
Bump steer
Bump steer is when a veh pulls or shoots off to one direction as the suspension is compressed or extended (when going over bumps in the road).
C-clip
The C-clip is used in Dana 35 & Chrysler 8.25” rear axles.
The C-Clip is a retaining clip that holds the axle shaft into
the differential carrier inside the axle housing.
If the C-clip breaks or the shaft breaks, the axle shaft will
be able to slide out of the vehicle.
This can be very dangerous in off-road situations that are off camber, or vertical.
Coil Springs
An alternative to leaf springs for achieving desired height.
Coil springs consist of multiple wraps of steel wire of a specific load rating.
Control Arm
The control arm is what holds the axle underneath the veh & keeps it located correctly under torque.
CV Drive Shaft
A common term used to describe a driveshaft with a double cardan joint to reduce vibration at steeper driveshaft angles on lifted vehicles.
Differential
The differential transfers power from the driveshaft, through the axle shafts to the wheels.
There are many different types of differentials such as; open, limited-slip, locking, etc.
See Locker and Open Differential for more details.
DOM
Is the abbreviated name given to a specific type of steel tubing.
Drawn Over Mandrel refers to the process that is used to manufacture the tubing.
DOM tubing has superior strength and dependability characteristics compared to other types of tubing; specifically DOM is seamless.
Drag Link
The drag link connects the pitman arm to the steering knuckle & enables the vehicle to turn via the steering wheel.
Driveshaft
The driveshaft transfers power from the transfer case to the axles.
Driveshaft Angle
The driveshaft angle is the angle that a driveshaft must be at to connect the transfer case to the axle. On lifted, short wheel base vehicles (SWB) the driveshaft angle can often be quite severe.
Full Float
An axle design where the vehicle weight is supported by a spindle and wheel bearing assembly.
The axle shaft is used only to transmit power to the wheel through a drive flange or lockout hub assembly.
GVWR
Gross Veh Weight Rating is the maximum amount that the veh can weigh with full fuel, passengers & gear. This number is provided by the vehicle manufacturer & must not be exceeded.
High Pinion Axle
A high pinion axle housing design has the pinion shaft entering the housing above the axle tube centerline. The ring and pinion gear teeth are cut in the opposite direction to allow this relocation of the pinion shaft entry point. Sometimes this axle is mistakenly called a “reverse rotation” axle but this is not correct. The ring and pinion still rotate in the same direction but the tooth pattern is reverse cut allowing the driving force to be carried on the stronger side of the ring gear teeth when a high pinion axle is used in the front of a 4wd veh. When used in the rear of a 4wd veh some strength is lost since the driving force is applied to the weaker side of the ring gear teeth. For this reason many people choose to install a Heavy Duty 60 series axle such as the Tera CRD 60 in the rear of a light weight veh.
IFS
Independent Front Suspension refers to a vehicle suspension design where the front knuckles mount to the frame through ball joints and some type of upper and lower A-arms. This design allows either side to travel up and down independent of the opposite side. IFS has been used for many years in cars, and is now common in 4 wd vehicles.
Knuckle
The knuckle connects the wheel assembly to the axle housing inner knuckle or C-Yoke through 2 pivot points and creates a mounting point for axle components such as tie rods, unibearings or hubs, brakes, etc.
LCA
The lower control arm is a suspension component that connects the axle to the frame of the vehicle.
These can be lengthened and shortened to fine tune alignment & pinion angle.
Leaf Spring
The most traditional suspension design until the mid 1990’s.
Leaf springs utilize an arched steel strap that is heat treated and combined into a multiple leaf pack to give the vehicle its intended height.
Leaf springs are very stable & offer a relatively stiff ride.
Locker
A locking differential provides equal torque to the vehicle’s wheels by forcing both axles to turn at the same speed. A selectable locker like the TeraFlex T-Locker can be turned on or off with a switch and allows open differential driving while on the road, & a locked differential when off-roading.
Long Arm
Lower long arms increase the arm length by almost double in most cases, & will provide the vehicle with increased on road drivability and off road articulation.
Nodular Iron
Nodular Iron (Ductile) is a cast iron that has been treated while molten with an element such as magnesium or cerium to induce the formation of free graphite as nodules, which imparts a measurable degree of ductility to the cast metal. Nodular iron is commonly used in casting automotive differential housings.
Open Differential
An open differential allows different wheel speeds for smooth turns on high traction surfaces.
This is great for driving on the road, but in low traction situations the open differential allows all veh torque to be transmitted to the wheel with the least amount of traction.
Pitman Arm
The pitman arm connects the steering box to the drag link. On lifted Jeeps a drop pitman arm is usually needed to restore proper steering linkage geometry.
Ring & Pinion
The ring and pinion transfer power from the driveshaft to the axle shafts.
Ring & pinions come in various ratios to allow the wheels to turn at a different rate than the transfer case.
Ring & pinions consist of a smaller gear (pinion) which turns a larger circular gear (ring).
Revolver Shackle
The Revolver Shackle is a unique shackle that is hinged to allow additional articulation & down travel.
It also will help to reduce leaf spring stress when under articulation.
RTI
RTI or ramp travel index is a measurement of a vehicle’s suspension flex or articulation. This can help to show areas that need attention before the vehicle is taken off-road, or to measure for new components such as shocks or brake lines.
Semi-Float
An axle shaft that transmits the vehicle’s power or torque to the wheel, and carries a portion of the vehicle’s weight. A semi-float axle shaft is held into the axle housing with a wheel bearing retainer plate or C-clip.
Short Shaft
A slip yoke eliminator or short shaft kit replaces the transfer case output shaft with a much shorter shaft that accepts a fixed yoke and seal assembly. This allows the use of a CV driveshaft that is longer and can handle a more severe driveshaft angle caused by increased veh lift.
Solid Axle
A solid axle refers to the complete differential housing that is rigid from axle flange to axle flange (or knuckle to knuckle). The solid axle has many features that are desirable for off-roading such as increased articulation potential.
Tie Rod
The tie rod is part of the steering linkage, connecting both knuckles on a steering axle allowing the vehicle to turn. A bent tie rod is a common failure on the trail and results in your tires being excessively ‘toed-in’.
Track Bar
The track bar locates your axle side to side underneath the veh. The track bar must be modified or relocated when the vehicle is lifted to compensate for the additional lift. If it is not re-located the axle will be offset from the center of the vehicle and can result in adverse handling characteristics.
Transfer Case
A gearbox that allows the power from the transmission to be transferred to both the front and rear axle equally. It also allows the driver to shift from 2WD high to 4WD high, and 4WD low
UCA
The upper control arm connects the frame to the axle & can be lengthened or shortened to fine tune the alignment & pinion angle.
U-Joint
Short for universal joint, the u-joint is a coupling device that connects the drive shaft to the yoke and allows the drive shaft to operate at an angle. U-joints are also used in front steering axles to connect the inner axle shaft to the outer axle shaft or stub shaft, & allow the vehicle to turn and still transfer power to the wheels.
Yoke
Yokes connect the drive shafts to the transfer case and axles via u-joints. 2 yoke styles are used. One style uses straps and small head bolts & the other uses u-bolts with washers & nuts to secure the u-joint.
Z-Box
The Z-Box replaces the factory leaf spring mount on the vehicle frame. The Z-Box opens up during axle droop & works in conjunction with the Revolver Shackle to reduce spring stress & maintain proper driveshaft angles. The opposing construction allows only one side to open at a time.