How strong are ATV axles? What is 4340 Chrome-Moly?

Besides failures with tires and belts, broken axles are the most common issues ATV owners face. Lifted ATV’s or ones with long-travel suspension experience these problems more frequently. Riders on stock machines only see the occasional axle failure under normal circumstances. But if you are consistently pushing your ATV through the roughest terrain and through all-weather conditions, you may want to look for a stronger axle that can withstand a beating.

The good news is that stronger-than-stock aftermarket axle assemblies and CV joint components are available at affordable prices. Axles that are made of 4340 Chrome Moly, or nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel, are an excellent option. It makes for a stronger-than-stock axle that is ideal for high stress situations. Chrome Moly is stronger than the standard stainless steel that most stock axles are made of, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.

4340 has a high fatigue and tensile ratio, which means it won’t break as easily if you were to go over a large bump in the road, at maximum load bearing capacity. With its capability to maintain strength, ductility, and toughness for off-roading, Chrome Moly axles provide between 30% to 50% increased strength over stock axles for use in extreme performance applications. If you want to upgrade your axle to something stronger than what your ATV came with, 4340 Chrome Moly is an excellent option.

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