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TFLtruck recently got the following question from Michael Eckes.
The other day I saw the truck I test drove and am contemplating purchasing, a Nissan Titan XD Pro-4X Cummins. As a mechanical guru, I always check out under the truck, frame, suspension components, etc. Checking out the rear end, I found this….see photo…is that a CV joint with the yellow dot on it? I am a little concerned that this would be a weak point in the transfer of power since that is a Cummins under hood and a beefy Aisin transmission. I am sure the future of this engine will include aftermarket power upgrades. I have been searching the internet for anything on this joint, and have found nothing.
Michael, thank you for the unique and detailed question!
Nissan released the following statement on the subject: “These [CV Joints] are added to improve take off judder that can occur with leaf sprung rear suspension and high torque engines”.
Indeed, this is a CV joint that connects the drive shaft and the rear differential. It is there to help prevent “judder” or rear “axle hop”. We have noticed this component on the Titan XD turbo-diesel and the 2017 Titan half-ton 1500 with the gasoline V8.
How reliable or durable is this solution? We cannot verify this and we do not have the data to answer this question.
Please help us figure out whether any other pickup trucks have used this CV joint solution in the past or use it currently. Especially, trucks that put down serious power. We know that GM uses CV joints for the front axles on their HD trucks, but it is a different application.
In the meantime, check out this fun and friendly Super Ike Gauntlet towing competition between a Cummins-V8-powered Titan XD and a gas-V8-powered Titan XD.
