Your concerns are legit @
hagak. We have already anticipated this. We have found no pre mature wear from using our stronger IWE. The axle ends show zero signs of wear, and the wheel hub has shown little to none as well. The wheel hub, which would be the next in line to show wear anyway, even with OEM IWE gears. The IWE gear is insanely brittle and shears easily. Once cracked, its game over.
Yes, we are moving the weak link to another part. To the wheel hub gear. We do not find this to be a bad thing. Replacing a bad IWE in the field is not easy at all. A bad wheel hub, is simple in comparison. Wheel hub only costs $150 at tasca (so $40 more than IWE) and can be replaced in the field much easier.
Plus, with hard off roading, the bearings in the wheel hubs will need replaced sooner or later anyway (non servicable, sealed wheel hub unit) so you will be buying hubs eventually. Also the design of the hub gear is external, chances of it cracking are nil compared to IWE gear. An IWE gear, once cracked, will expand slip around, and shred its teeth over the hub once any torque is applied.
I would rather carry a spare wheel hub unit than a IWE to replace in the field.
Vacuum issues are a whole other can of worms. We are also working on a replacement stand alone vacuum system later for release later this year.
---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------
To make sure I understand, these gear sets are larger/stronger than the stock ones that engage the hubs? If this solves the problems of the IWE, it seems brilliant, cost effective, and simple.
These are direct copies in terms of dimensions. But they are MUCH stronger. Will take the shock loading are trucks dish out and will resist shearing even more so.
This will not solve vacuum issues. It is reccomend to fix any vacuum issues before installing new IWEs.