Plunge joint

[bigdaddy]

This past weekend I managed to destroy yet another rear plunge joint on my outlander 800 max:aargh: Anyone have any ideas how to make this problem go away:skeptic:

[Stoopidbot1]

Welcome to the site. I'm not a 4x4 guy, what's a plunge joint? Someone will help you shortly.

[bigdaddy]

A plunge joint is the part that goes in between the axel and drive shaft for independent suspension. I've wrecked 3 in the past 2 months @ $200 a pop just for the part not labor. I put the first one in and it lasted a week. Thought maybe I put it in wrong. I ride pretty aggresively, maybe that's the problem. I pretend my big couch is a sport quad. It really likes the air.

[Stoopidbot1]

Nice, I've never heard of anyone else having that problem. But be patient, there are a lot of knowledgeable people on here. Someone will lead you the right way. Good luck!

[quadmaniac]

I think it's a plunging joint.

You got a picture of your quad? Are you using oversized tires? Any modifications to the tires, rims, suspension? Or is it all stock?

I guess if your jumping that thing...could be.

[bigdaddy]

My tires are stock size itp mud lite 27". Yea it's a jumping issue. That's alot of energy being absorbed with a #700 machine and my #220 body hitting the ground.

[SunLrider]

wow, 3 in the past 2 months, something must be wrong

[outlander560]

i know wat ur talking about the plunge joint like u said is connected to the gear box that gives power to both the wheels... is it the axle ur breaking or is it the joint?wen u installed them did u pack it up with grease??? how do u ride do u do a lot of jumps?? wen it breaks does it just pop out or doest it completly snap??u installed ur self right??? so wen u did u had it on the right side and u didnt pull on the part that plunges right?

[BuckBilly]

Pictures would be a big help.

[outlander560]

o bot u have seen an independent rear suspension atv right??? well on the axle their are to parts (im explaining the front axles). Now wen the axle is connected to the gear transfer case in the front of a 4x4 atv the connection is called a plunge joint so wen u hit a jump instead of it popping up in goes inward like a toilet plunger (hense plunge joint) it does not swivel at all it is fixed. Now wen u connect it to the hub which connects to the tire the axle swivels up down and left to right and doesnt plunge at all.. now for the rear im pretty sure it does the same thing as the front axle but not a 100% sure more like 80%

[Stoopidbot1]

Thanks for explaining.

[outlander560]

no problem if their is anything else u want to know or if some parts of that didnt make any sense just ask

[Stoopidbot1]

You explained it pretty well, I got a good idea of whet you are talking about.

[outlander560]

ok cool glad to be of some assitance

[Stoopidbot1]

By the way, those yellow springs look sick tucked in there.

[outlander560]

o thanks yea i really like them thanks again for sticking me to my first idea instead of painting them

[BuckBilly]

o bot u have seen an independent rear suspension atv right??? well on the axle their are to parts (im explaining the front axles). Now wen the axle is connected to the gear transfer case in the front of a 4x4 atv the connection is called a plunge joint so wen u hit a jump instead of it popping up in goes inward like a toilet plunger (hense plunge joint) it does not swivel at all it is fixed. Now wen u connect it to the hub which connects to the tire the axle swivels up down and left to right and doesnt plunge at all.. now for the rear im pretty sure it does the same thing as the front axle but not a 100% sure more like 80%

Thanks for the info, but I 'm a steel worker wants to see how/where it is breaking. So maybe I can help find a way to fix the problem with out a for sale sign.

[outlander560]

im not the one who broke it i was just explaining that to bot cause he didnt know how those axles work..i got that from people in forums and videos cause i was planning on doing a lift but didnt want to pay for the axles..

[bigdaddy]

As far as pictures go I'm not that savvy on the computer yet and also my quad is sitting in the machanics shop. I ordered some gorilla axels on friday. Should be here on Wednesday. Would also be a good idea to get some quality aftermarket shocks too. What do you think? I have a cool video of me jumping, just don't know how to load.

[Stoopidbot1]

Hey Bigdaddy, check this out. You should be able to get some answers.

Learning Center » QUADCRAZY ATV Community Forum

[outlander560]

gorilla shocks are good but i heard from a lot of people that they overheat because they were built for the atvers who like to ride in the water and swamps.... they are strong but just be careful with them... and for quality shocks are u looking for less sag or r u looking for something that will move with the turrain?

[bigdaddy]

I'm looking for a good set of shocks mostly for trail riding, but, we have a public moto cross track closs that my kids really like to go to and so do I. I really like the ride of my big machine going thru the whoops, over the table tops, and double jumps. With the long wheel base it is like riding a couch. I really shouldn't be doing any of this stuff because I have a really screwed up back but it is truly a rush. That's why I'm trying to have the best of both worlds out of one machine. I am having trouble finding aftermarket products for can am suspensions at a fair price. As for shocks, what's the difference between one stage, two stage, three stage? What I think is it might be the springs? Can anyone explain?

[SunLrider]

i think its the was the spring is compressed

[Stoopidbot1]

Stage 1 is going to be shocks for your every day rider. Stage 3 is for the racer. The higher you go the better valving and springs the shocks have.

[outlander560]

those gorilla axles r probably not ur best bet... ive heard from many people that they overheat...