driveshaft angle questions before I weld the perches

[josh86k10]

I've got everything mocked up, with the truck's weight on the springs. Right now I've got 6 deg down on the t-case (fairly stationary)... so I put 6 deg "up" on the axle pinion (not welded yet). That put's my driveshaft at 17 deg down slope. And if I know what I'm doing, that gives an 11 deg operation angle on each of the joints, right? Maybe 12 deg depending on how good my eyes are under a truck on my back. For some reason it looks kind of steep. Should I tack her in place or tilt the pinion up some more. Still running S44 joints (a bastard S44/1350 at the axle). FWIW this is a Short bed K10 with roughly 7" of lift (shackle flip, add-a-leaf, and zero-rate...axle moved back 1.5"). HELP!!!

 

[sandawgk5]

I've got everything mocked up, with the truck's weight on the springs. Right now I've got 6 deg down on the t-case (fairly stationary)... so I put 6 deg "up" on the axle pinion (not welded yet). That put's my driveshaft at 17 deg down slope. And if I know what I'm doing, that gives an 11 deg operation angle on each of the joints, right? Maybe 12 deg depending on how good my eyes are under a truck on my back. For some reason it looks kind of steep. Should I tack her in place or tilt the pinion up some more. Still running S44 joints (a bastard S44/1350 at the axle). FWIW this is a Short bed K10 with roughly 7" of lift (shackle flip, add-a-leaf, and zero-rate...axle moved back 1.5"). HELP!!!

I would move the axle down 2 deg to account for wrap when under load. With the pinion a couple degrees lower when under load it will actually be right on with the Tcase. If you put them the same at rest then under load the pinion will be higher in slope than the Tcase and could cause vibrations.

Ira

 

[josh86k10]

Well, my biggest concern is the 11-12 degree operating angle. I don't want to make that any steeper than it already is. Is 11-12 degrees okay, or will it eat u-joints?

 

[sandawgk5]

Well, my biggest concern is the 11-12 degree operating angle. I don't want to make that any steeper than it already is. Is 11-12 degrees okay, or will it eat u-joints?

Mine is at 14 but other than that I dont have an answer.

Ira

 

[blazinzuk]

anytime you increase the operating angle of a u joint it won't last as long. Just replace them once every 18 months or so. I say weld it where you have it. You won't be having much axle wrap at cruising speeds.

 

[mrk5]

This is what we used to set up a buddie's perches/driveshaft angle:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-shaft/index2.html

Scroll down to the heading, "Measuring and calculating universal joint and driveshaft operating angles."

 

[josh86k10]

I appreciate it ya'll. For better or worse, She's welded up and that's where she's at. I'll let ya'll know how it works out.

 

[josh86k10]

I was looking through my old posts and realized that I never let everyone know how it turned out. Zero vibrations.... other than the ones from the TSL's, but actually zero vibrations with my street tires on. Just figured I'd post up a conclusion in case this pops up in someone's search some day.

 

[mrk5]

Good deal!