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correct pinion angle help?

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nsxxtreme

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Hi Guys,

I am in the final stages of installing my axle from a previous post
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=260593

Its a 14 bolt SF axle with an eaton electric locker and 5.13 gears. I purchased ORD shackle flip kit so I have removed the blocks. I need to set the pinion angle before I weld the spring perches on. What is the correct angle I should be shooting for. I am just using the stock driveshaft. I've read 2 degress is what I should go for. Is this correct? should I load the rear of the truck up before I set the angle?

Thanks for any help!
 
Check here

Very in depth for sure, but the idea is that the operating angle of each joint is the same (the difference between the angle of the driveshaft/t-case joint and the driveshaft/pinion joint should be the same).

The big catch there is Spicer recommends a maximum of 3 degrees of operating angle for no vibration, any lifted truck will be WAY past that.

So, you can do one of two things. You can set the two operating angles equal and see how it goes (for me and others for sure, plenty of vibes even with 4" lift). You can get vibes because there is simply too much operating angle on the joint.

You can point the pinion at the t-case. This puts a zero operating angle on the pinion side joint (now it won't vibrate) and will reduce the angle on the t-case side joint. This will inherently vibrate but IME it was much less than trying to match the angles. Seems like many people have differing experiences on which approach works for them, which is frustrating.



The correct way to make sure you don't have any vibrations is to point the pinion that the transfer case and get a CV driveshaft.
 
38377k5 said:
The correct way to make sure you don't have any vibrations is to point the pinion that the transfer case and get a CV driveshaft.
Click to expand...
I dont have a CV driveshaft. The truck ran fine with the previous axle and it was lifted. I'm just trying to set it up the same way. What are all you guys setting your pinion angles at?
 
its not the "right way to do it" but i have had pretty good experience with my driveshaft pointed directly at the tcase, and then take it 2 degrees down. there was some vibrations but overall smooth.

also when i was a dumb nub, i pointed it at the tcase, but up like 4 degrees. rode great.

a cv type driveshaft is the ultimate good idea fix, but for a long time i could never afford that kind of money for a driveshaft.

i eventually built my driveline off of a stock superduty front driveshaft. perfect fit and 1350CV flanged. so if i needed to, i can go pick another from a yard and not be at the mercy of the crooks here at a driveshaft shop.
 
nsxxtreme said:
I dont have a CV driveshaft. The truck ran fine with the previous axle and it was lifted. I'm just trying to set it up the same way. What are all you guys setting your pinion angles at?
Click to expand...

Lots of mixed results on this site, some people (myself included) had the least vibes with the pinion pointed at the t-case, others have the best luck trying to match the angles.

Maybe measure the angle of the pinion on your old axle? Did it have a shim or had the perches been moved on it?
 
Thanks guys looks like the guy I am having install it already pointed it at the transfer case. I'll go with this for now and when the driveshaft breaks I'll get a CV driveshaft.

As always appreciate all the input!
 
This is what I ended up with. Plan to get a CV driveline in the future.

IMG_0149.jpg
 
looks like the pinion is pointed to high. I think it should be down a couple degrees from even, to allow for pinion wrap up on accelleration.
 
76zimmer said:
looks like the pinion is pointed to high. I think it should be down a couple degrees from even, to allow for pinion wrap up on accelleration.
Click to expand...

I agree they decided to weld it without me inspecting it first. :(
When this breaks I intend to get a CV driveshaft.
 
90k5blaze said:
Probably sooner than you think!
How's the vibrations? I would grind off the welds and do it right.
Click to expand...

No vibration until you hit about 70mph. But I'm not sure if that is from the tires or driveshaft. I think its probably more from the tires cause if was from the driveshaft I would expect it to vibrate in lower gears.
 
nsxxtreme said:
No vibration until you hit about 70mph. But I'm not sure if that is from the tires or driveshaft. I think its probably more from the tires cause if was from the driveshaft I would expect it to vibrate in lower gears.
Click to expand...

I can't believe its not worse with that angle.
 
76zimmer said:
looks like the pinion is pointed to high. I think it should be down a couple degrees from even, to allow for pinion wrap up on accelleration.
Click to expand...


Believe it or not, the pinion being pointed too high actually doesn't make a difference. Whether the pinion is pointed below the t-case or above it, all that matters is the operating angle.
 
the only thing i would be worried about is when you really romp on it you might wrap it up too much, bind, and throw the ujoint. thats heavy foot prone breakage.
 
obijuan said:
the only thing i would be worried about is when you really romp on it you might wrap it up too much, bind, and throw the ujoint. thats heavy foot prone breakage.
Click to expand...
I have nailed it and haven't had a problem yet. Since I removed the blocks I dont think I am getting the axle wrap that I used to get.
 
38377k5 said:
Believe it or not, the pinion being pointed too high actually doesn't make a difference. Whether the pinion is pointed below the t-case or above it, all that matters is the operating angle.
Click to expand...


I get that Chris, I just think the "pointed up" orientation is in the wrong direction. IF the springs wrap up on accel. it is already over center, which isn't good right?
 
76zimmer said:
I get that Chris, I just think the "pointed up" orientation is in the wrong direction. IF the springs wrap up on accel. it is already over center, which isn't good right?
Click to expand...


Definitely, as long as it doesn't wrap too much he should be fine though.


I actually have mine pointed up like that even though my truck is around stock suspension height, it's to keep the driveshaft out of the rocks and keep this from happening again :haha:

ds1.jpg
 
38377k5 said:
Definitely, as long as it doesn't wrap too much he should be fine though.


I actually have mine pointed up like that even though my truck is around stock suspension height, it's to keep the driveshaft out of the rocks and keep this from happening again :haha:

ds1.jpg
Click to expand...


Exactly. Alot of guys match the angle but instead of matching the angle below the dead flat 0* line they match it above it to get the pinion outta the rocks.

Put a track bar in it for insurance and if anybody asks tell em its like that for clearance cause minus the wrap situation its fine. And btw vib at 70mph with mud tires I wouldnt worry about.
 
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