Setting pinion angle

[Crusty Jeep]

What's a good way to figure pinion angle when installing an (rear) axle and setting up for a real (CV) driveline? So far I have:

Install the axle loose and sit it on the ground with un-welded spring perches and:

1) Eye ball it from the side. Ugh.
2) Install the axle with no guts (will be full-float, so can sit it on wheels with the pumpkin empty) and sight through the pinion bearings.
3) Bolt up the old driveline and mess with it till the driveline looks straight.

Is there a 'proper' way?

[Crash]

The proper way, get an angle finder (home depot has em) and set the u-joint at the pinion to 1" down.

Basically, put the rear axle on jackstands so you can turn the pinion. set it up so the caps on the u-joint from the pinion side to the driveline side are 1 degree down....

Hope I didn't confuse ya ;)

[Crusty Jeep]

Originally posted by carnuck
put it on the pinion yoke and check that angle against the trans output (those are the angles you want to match)
I'm installing a CV shaft... that means those angles can't match; the lower u-joint needs to run straight or it will vibrate.

[Crusty Jeep]

Originally posted by crash
Hope I didn't confuse ya ;)
Only a little :finger:

[Crash]

Hey glen, I suck at describing certain things, if you need a hand I can give ya a jingle tonight and describe it a bit better...

[T1H5 TA3]

if you are running leaf springs, you want to set the pinion angle a few degrees down from pointing directly at the t-case. the reason being , when you are accelerating, or even just driving maintaining speed, the leaf springs will rotate a few degrees... this is normal..

if you are running a link setup, goahead and point it right at it...

[Crusty Jeep]

Originally posted by crash
Hey glen, I suck at describing certain things, if you need a hand I can give ya a jingle tonight and describe it a bit better...
That's OK, I got it for now. This is a few weeks out anyway, the axle is at S&N for narrowing right now (and they're out playing this week) and then I have to do things like get a locker and some gears and a drive line ... stuff ... so when I go to install it I might hit ya up again :D

[MEDIC!]

Here is a link to several articles on driveline angle.
http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/driveline_angles.html

The bottom line is, if you're using a double cardan (CV) on one end you need to point the rearend pinion flange/yoke at the T-case while the truck is sitting at ride height and with it's normal load.

My experience has been that you want to take the time to get this right if it's a highway vehicle.

Good luck!

Cracker :usa: