[QUOTE=Elistan,Jun 6 2007, 01:26 PM]"Spider bearings" is a new term for me.

 

In a relative world, these mean the same thing. Balls are deeper in cup. And putting an extension on a socket will make the entire system weaker, but it won't make the socket itself any weaker. Now about this entire system concept, this goes to some of your other points. I assume that the flat billet spacer is much more rigid and less vibration-prone than the loose fit of the balls into the socket. So my guess is that the slight increase in vibration potential due to the 10mm longer moment arm would be more than offset by a much larger decrease in vibration potential from running the balls deeper in the socket.

Just my theory anyway.

 

[QUOTE=snakeeater,Jun 7 2007, 10:02 AM]In a relative world, these mean the same thing.

 

Here's a comparison of two Ford half shafts, one of which has had the weak link strengthened. Notice that the CV joints at both ends of the shaft are the same size, and appear to be OEM parts. That's because the joints aren't the weak link; The SHAFT is what normally fails first in high power applications using the Thunderbird half shafts.



Billman and others, is this not also the case with the S2000 half shafts? I know our half shafts are something like 50% stronger than is normal Honda practice for the cars stock power level, but isn't the shaft itself still going to twist and/or break before the CV joints?
The CV joints have to wear out before they fail, don't they?

 

The first thing to break is the tripod on the s2k axles. It splits open and the axle spins inside it.

You can just replace the tripod and put it back in service.

 

Don't you have to install the spider "in phase" with the outer CV joint? Are there marks on the spider and shaft to indicate correct phasing, or does it not actually matter?

 

Yes it needs to be phased with the outer joint.

There are no markings, but I have shafts sitting here to match up the phasing.

 

The moment arm I was referring to was from the ball/socket interface point back to the diff. If the spacer added to this dimension (which it doesn't) then any vibration at the ball would be magnified through the longer moment arm into the diff. That was a potential downside of the spacers that you mentioned in an earlier post. I don't buy that theory, since the spacer doesn't alter the distance, it merely increases the socket overhang past the ball. I didn't mean to confuse this moment arm with the ratchet's handle in my socket analogy.

My main point is still only that the back of the socket (or cup) is stronger than the open end, since it is supported by the metal of the base.

I am not trying to defame Honda's engineering or sell any spacers. My drivetrain is pure stock Honda, no complaints. I do enjoy my AF S/S though. Just some mental gymnastics, which we all indulge in here. If proof were so easy to come by, these forums would have far fewer posts.

 

[QUOTE=snakeeater,Jun 12 2007, 11:25 PM]The moment arm I was referring to was from the ball/socket interface point back to the diff.

 

Thanks Red