@Kai__Larsen
Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2025
- Messages
- 59
- Reaction score
- 7
- Land Cruiser
- 2024 1958
I made a shocking discovery last week about new AWD vehicles and CV Axles. Roast me in the comments if I'm just a newbie for not knowing this. Last week I snapped a makeshift CV axle after getting my Long Travel kit installed while waiting for the correctly extended beefier ones to be done getting heat treated. When it broke I lost all power to the drive train. It would not go forward or in reverse. We had to push the Land Cruiser back into the shop in neutral, remove the axles, re-weld them together stronger than before and install them again. Since then they've had no issue going 95mph or sudden breaking/accelerating etc... but obviously they're still not the correct axles just a temporary fix while we wait for the right ones to be done.
I believe this loss of power is a safety feature to prevent you from damaging drivetrain components. Which is nice but also inconvenient in certain situations. If this were to have happened in a 2wd vehicle with selectable 4wd you would still be able to move your car you just wouldn't be able to provide power to all 4 wheels (4wd). I'm sure by now you can see the issue this poses to anyone who is planning to offroad their LC250 heavily. You will be stuck on the trail if you break a CV axle with no ability to drive the car. Only to be pulled or pushed in neutral. Which obviously doesn't make things easier trying to get off a trail you just crawled your way into or are traveling solo.
I have not yet read the owners manual to see if there is a way to disengage this or activate a rear/front wheel drive (if that's even an option). If anyone know's and could comment that would be amazing!
Here are some things I'll be doing to help prevent this situation from being a disaster that I would recommend to others.
1. Buy extra CV axles (stock or extended length depending on your suspension setup) as well as learn how to repair them on the trail and carry the tools to do so.
2. Let someone know where you are going if you plan to do a harder trail and when you expect to be back. Or better yet don't go alone.
3. Have a reliable long range communication device. I have StarLink and also a Garmin Inreach with texting capabilities. But newer iPhones can also connect to satellite to send messages. Do not rely only on short range/gmrs radios.
Anyone else have tips or tools they recommend?
I believe this loss of power is a safety feature to prevent you from damaging drivetrain components. Which is nice but also inconvenient in certain situations. If this were to have happened in a 2wd vehicle with selectable 4wd you would still be able to move your car you just wouldn't be able to provide power to all 4 wheels (4wd). I'm sure by now you can see the issue this poses to anyone who is planning to offroad their LC250 heavily. You will be stuck on the trail if you break a CV axle with no ability to drive the car. Only to be pulled or pushed in neutral. Which obviously doesn't make things easier trying to get off a trail you just crawled your way into or are traveling solo.
I have not yet read the owners manual to see if there is a way to disengage this or activate a rear/front wheel drive (if that's even an option). If anyone know's and could comment that would be amazing!
Here are some things I'll be doing to help prevent this situation from being a disaster that I would recommend to others.
1. Buy extra CV axles (stock or extended length depending on your suspension setup) as well as learn how to repair them on the trail and carry the tools to do so.
2. Let someone know where you are going if you plan to do a harder trail and when you expect to be back. Or better yet don't go alone.
3. Have a reliable long range communication device. I have StarLink and also a Garmin Inreach with texting capabilities. But newer iPhones can also connect to satellite to send messages. Do not rely only on short range/gmrs radios.
Anyone else have tips or tools they recommend?
