What is Chrome-Moly Steel & How Strong are ATV Axles?

Besides failures with tires and belts, broken axles are the most common issues ATV owners face. Riders on stock machines only see the occasional axle failure under normal circumstances. But if you’re consistently pushing your ATV through the roughest terrain and through all-weather conditions, you may want to look for stronger ATV or UTV axles 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. Not all aftermarket axles are built the same, though. The material matters.

Axles made of 4340 chrome-moly, or nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel, are an excellent option. The name breaks down exactly what’s in it: nickel for toughness, chromium for hardness, and molybdenum for strength under stress. 

Chrome-moly is stronger than the standard stainless steel that most stock axles are made of and has a high strength-to-weight ratio. This means the material offers more strength with less added weight.

4340 has a high fatigue and tensile ratio, which means it won’t break easily. Consider if you were going over a large bump in the road at maximum load-bearing capacity. A standard axle may bend, crack, or fail. A chrome-moly steel axle maintains its integrity.

Some measurements suggest that chrome-moly axles provide between 30% and 50% increased strength, ductility, and toughness for off-roading and other extreme performance applications. That’s not a minor upgrade. For riders who consistently push their machines through demanding terrain and conditions, that difference is significant.

Understanding the benefits of an upgraded alloy, Sixity offers its own premium axle: the Sixity XTA Axle. This is the only Sixity-branded axle built with 4340 chrome-moly steel. It’s designed for riders who need more than a standard replacement can offer. If you want to upgrade your axle to something stronger than what your ATV came with, chrome-moly steel is the choice. The XTA delivers on the Sixity OEM-quality promise at an affordable price, ensuring you get more out of every ride.

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While typical ATV axles are quite strong, their durability is constantly tested through rugged terrains and high-speed or full-throttle rides. Common failure risks include debris damage from rocks, mud, and other trail hazards, traction shock, and incorrect installations or alterations. A stronger or more durable axle can help reduce these failure risks, but there’s no better preventative than safer, measured driving.

Replace an ATV axle when you start to notice visual clues, such as torn CV boots, grease leaks, rust and grit, or loose shafts. As damage progresses, you’ll notice odd sounds, such as popping or clicking, heavy clunking, or grinding. In the final stages before failure, you may experience handlebar vibrations, wobbling wheels, or a loss of power.

Yes. 4340 chrome-moly offers superior strength-to-weight, meaning it can handle more structural fatigue than carbon steel and other materials. It also offers torsional flex for better drivetrain shock absorption. 

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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