A Revolution in Durability

GSP’s New Elite Axles offer more strength, reliability and value for fleets

Fleet vehicles often have to operate under some of the toughest conditions imaginable. This means that many components are often subjected to extreme use. Repeated loading up, as well as impact and shock stresses can lead to premature wear and failure of components. Through in the harsh weather that is common place in Canada, and the need to provide heavy-dutyreplacementcomponents that add improved durability, reliability and longevity becomes key, especially for fleet operators where minimizing downtime is everything.

Axles are a prime example. “Most standard aftermarket axles are manufactured using 40Cr Chromium Steel,” explains Andrew Martinez, Product and Catalog Manager, CV Axles, at GSP North America. Additionally, in many cases, they’re not specifically engineered for cold Canadian winters, which means when subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations, they can fail prematurely.

Solid foundation

It’s one reason why GSP developed its range of Xtreeme Duty (XD) CV axles for the Canadian market. Now, the company is building on that foundation with its new Performance Revolution Elite axles that are specifically designed for fleet applications.

“Our Elite CV Axles bring together two things we’ve learned,” says Martinez. The first is the cold-weather engineering from GSP’s XD axles. The second is a significant material upgrade compared with what’s typically found in the aftermarket. Instead of utilizing 40Cr chromium steel, Elite axles have an upgraded shaft, outer and inner joint made from 4340 chromoly. “This is a premium nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy that’s quenched and tempered for strength, toughness and fatigue resistance,” Martinez explains.

Additionally, notes Martinez, the Elite axles also feature a UF-type outer joint, a 20crMnTi alloy steel inner bearing cage, plus ceramic black coatings. “The result,” he says, “is an axle that absorbs far more punishment and lasts far longer than a standard replacement.”

GSP has performed extensive testing on these axles and the results have been significant. Torsional fatigue life with the Elite axles has shown to be around three times longer than typical standard replacements. “Elite axles averaged 743,980 cycles to failure, versus 246,351 for typical, standard axles and an industry minimum of 200,000,” says Martinez.

“The result is an axle that absorbs far more punishment and lasts far longer than a standard replacement.”

– Andrew Martinez, Product and Catalog Manager, CV Axles, GSP North America

Significantly tougher

Additionally, tests revealed that the Performance Revolution Elite axle shafts and housings were 2.7 to 3.3 times tougher in the amount of stress and energy they absorbed prior to failure, compared with standard axles, while peak strength was also revealed to be 20-33% greater.

Other features designed to maximize durability and reliability (based on extensive testing and engineering for Canadian conditions) include durable outer TPE and inner CR boots designed to withstand temperatures ranging from 50°C to 248°C (-58°F to 479°F); plus upgraded heavy-duty clamps designed to hold up under harsh driving conditions, as well as extreme-temperature grease (which offers higher resistance to friction and abrasion), plus black ceramic coating that shields against corrosion caused by hash winter roads laced with salt.

In terms of applications, Martinez says that for the Canadian market, phase one of the Performance Revolution Elite axles, targets pickups and vans that many contractors and fleets rely on extensively to get the job done. This includes most General Motors’ full-size pickups and SUVs, as well as the Ram 1500, Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer; Ford F-150 and Expedition full-size SUVs, plus Toyota’s Tacoma and Tundra pickups, along with the FJ Cruiser, Sequoia and 4Runner SUVs; plus commercial vans, including the Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana, as well as the Ram ProMaster and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. “A second phase will expand coverage within these vehicle families,” says Martinez “and we’re also looking at performance car applications.”

Martinez notes that the Elite range of axles will be fully supported across Canada. “Canadian customers will have the same access to the full range and the same level of support as our customers have anywhere else in North America.”