GKN Driveline has helped upgrade the rear halfshafts and propshaft for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk SUV using aerospace-grade 300M high-strength low-alloy steel.
The material is reportedly 42% stronger than existing Grand Cherokee halfshafts and improved torque in order to propel the more than 5,300 lb SUV from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
‘We based the design on components from GKN’s motorsport division, and further upgraded the halfshaft thickness and strength to harness the 645 lb-ft of torque generated by the supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine,’ said Uwe Paksa, GKN Driveline vice president.
To confirm the strength and durability of the rear driveline components, the GKN halfshafts were subjected to fatigue testing that replicated the stresses of more than 2000 drag launches.
This story is reprinted from material from GKN, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
