Whether it’s putting in long hours on the farm managing livestock or squeezing in some well-deserved recreational riding, ATV, quads and UTVs are outback transportation greatness. Their rugged surefootedness makes them perfect for tackling tough terrain, open spaces and shallow bodies of water with ease. And with a work-ready price-point that’s roughly 1/3 of a modestly equipped 4WD, farm owners, utility operators and weekend warriors alike know these affordable little vehicles can carry a tool chest or a load of camping kit anywhere.
In spite of their rigid reliability, ATVs are still prone to the same breakdowns that conventional off-road vehicles are – especially when it comes to drivetrain components like CV joints and axle shafts. Anything from attacking hills at extreme angles to massive torque shocks can wrench a drivetrain to pieces. Fortunately, ATV cost advantages also include high performance replacement parts, and owners shouldn’t be afraid to look for the best of them online.
Upgraded Drivetrain Parts For the Toughest ATVs and UTVs
Let’s be honest: while modern ATVs and UTVs are known for their durability, it’s no secret that OE drivetrains are weak. They aren’t engineered for hard, sustained riding, which is why heavy duty aftermarket ATV and quad bike parts need to be on every Aussie ATV owner’s shopping list. Unlike mass-produced OE parts that are better suited for casual riding, heavy duty aftermarket drivetrain parts are built especially for environments where rocks, roots and severe stresses are all a part of a day’s travels.
Even then, not every aftermarket manufacturer’s parts are built for the toughest jobs. That means in addition to knowing which drivetrain parts they need to monitor the closest, ATV and quad owners also need to know which brands they can depend on. From heavy duty clutch and transaxle kits, to modified spring and steering setups, Rhino, Interparts and EPI are among the most respected names in the off-roading community when it comes to aftermarket ATV and quad bike parts. It’s their impressive range of drivetrain parts and accessories, however, that ATV, quad and UTV owners trust to keep their wheels solidly on the ground and under power, to include:
- Precision engineered CV joints. Superior strength aftermarket CV joints made from 4340 chromoly steel are zinc plated for maximum corrosion resistance, and are completely rebuildable, relieving owners of the cost of buying new joints whenever they need replacing.
- Heavy duty CV boots. Ribbed aftermarket CV boots made from polyurethane or high strength TPEE (thermoplastic elastomer) are thicker and stronger than their OE counterparts, and are sold with fastening hardware that’s designed specifically to keep dirt and moisture out.
- Longer, stronger axle shafts. High angle aftermarket axle shafts are manufactured from heat treated 4340 chromoly steel and are 40% thicker than OE shafts, resulting in a 30% increase in both strength and longevity that’s ideal for larger tyres and lift kits.
Make no mistake: regardless of the make or model of ATV vehicle, drivetrain components can, and do fail. Ideally, owners want to get ahead of the failure curve by investing early in drivetrain parts that are built to withstand the kind of hard riding that can be expected with farm work, ground surveying or serious off road recreation. That makes committing to buying the highest quality ATV upgrade parts as crucial for owners as being able to recognise the causes of drivetrain failure.
Recognising the Causes of ATV Drivetrain Failure
It’s the emphasis on quality and safety that sets top aftermarket ATV parts manufacturers apart from the rest of the pack. That’s why all of their upgraded ATV and quad parts are engineered to resist the most common causes of OE drivetrain failure, including:
- Stress-related breakages. Severe drivetrain impacts, massive torque shocks, and persistent vibration can all result in stress-induced ATV parts breakages. Manufacturers are able to solve this problem by using harder, heat-treated steels for components like shafts and bearing carriers that offer a higher strength-to-weight ratios than their OE equivalents.
- Catastrophic metal abrasion. Once a CV or ball joint boot has been compromised, the introduction of abrasion-causing dirt, sand, or other debris is inevitable. Top quality aftermarket manufacturers prefer to use materials that are engineered to resist rips and tears that could lead to catastrophic joint scalding or seizure.
- Debilitating loss of lubrication. CV joint temperatures can reach an astounding 75°C during hard riding, which is why high performance aftermarket quad parts manufacturers rely exclusively on heavy duty, high temperature molybdenum disulfide (moly) greases and lubricants to protect these complex mechanical couplings.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if it’s the result of an axle striking an angle that it’s not designed to operate at, or if a lift kit and oversized tyres are throwing off the vehicle’s geometry, it’s reassuring to know that there are upgraded quad parts for sale that can safely handle any riding contingency. And the fact that owners can buy all their ATV parts online and have them shipped anywhere in Australia brings safety even closer to home.
Buying ATV Parts Online Brings Convenience Home
While owners may not be able to avoid the grinding sounds and unexpected vibrations that are symptoms of impending drivetrain parts failure, knowing that they can buy ATV parts online makes a difference. This is especially true for anyone who’s customising their vehicle, as the ability to research and buy ATV parts from a trusted retailer comes with a host of advantages that include:
- The widest parts selection. Not only does shopping for quad bike parts online give owners access to a manufacturer’s full parts catalog, it allows them to verify the compatibility of different parts for their intended usage.
- The convenience of shopping from anywhere, anytime. The convenience of shopping for quad parts online relieves owners of the headache of either calling around or physically traveling to various ATV parts dealers to locate the parts they’re looking for.
- The most competitive pricing. As online retailers are able to save on overhead and stockist expenses, they’re also able to price their quad bike parts for sale for less than their brick and mortar competitors.
Ideally, shopping for ATV and UTV parts online brings the best products and accessories from multiple manufacturers together in a single location. It’s the cost advantage that owners need for all their upgraded and replacement parts.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, the go-anywhere durability of ATVs, quads and UTVs makes them irreplaceable for businesses and individuals who need to cover a lot of terrain quickly and easily. Concerns about the reliability and ultimately the safety of OE ATV drivetrains is valid, though.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of high quality, heavy duty aftermarket parts and manufacturers available to fill the deficit. Heavy duty aftermarket ATV and quad parts are essential for anyone who prioritises safety. They’re an investment that’s well worth making.
