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Max DS operating angles

Mastiff

Mastiff

1/2 ton status
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I apologize I have a couple of related threads going on this. I want to ask this question specifically. Has anyone with a flexy suspension hung their K5 by the frame to see how steep the angle come out? Trying to guesstimate based on static angles and droop estimates just seems really weak.

In my case, my rear shaft sits at nearly 20 degrees when parked, and I estimate the T-case sits back 5 degrees, so 15 degrees on that shaft to start. Up front, it measures about 15 degrees, so 20 degrees with the T-case penalty. Using some fuzzy math, I could convince myself these could go as high as 25 in back and 35 in front, but I don't know if this is realistic. I just did the geometry based on droop estimates.
 
Are your axles in the stock locations? It's a lot of compromise because with the front you loose caster if you try to reduce the angle at the axle. I have cv shaft up front that helped with the lift but mines a 4 inch lift and droops maybe 3-4 inches total my springs are 8-9 inches travel at the bump stops.
 
Yeah, stock locations. I'm mostly concerned about the CV angle, at the tcase. I'm going to have to find a way to jack up the frame to get this answer. Based on the lack of response, I guess most people just take their chances...
 
A stock front C/V will almost certainly bind with a flexy suspension. Most people just grind on them to get more angle. At some point you risk contamination of the ball, and I'm sure it's weaker at high flex than straight, but the binding is probably a lot worse for the joint. Typically you won't have a high torque through the front axle at full droop, because there is little to no weight on it, so the strength is not as important as the joint not destroying itself with bind.

So you just grind until it doesn't make noise anymore. It's weird how much a little grinding seems to help, too.
 
I agree with blue, I removed the springs on mine and it bound up tight around 14 inches from the bumpstop to the axle tube so it might work that low with grinding.
 
So what CV angle were you shooting for when grinding? Did you let the axle hang with both wheels off the ground? If so, what limited the droop? This is mostly directed at Blue with the ORD springs...

I need a new shaft anyway, and Tom Wood can make 1310 CV do 35 degrees. I'd rather do 1350 to match my 1-ton setup, but that's only good for 30.
 
You know, I've never measured the DS angle with the axle drooped, but I measured about 35 degrees in the C/V on the bench with just a little grinding. I don't have a jack that can lift the frame to get the axle at full droop. I usually test on this 3' mound of dirt in the yard, stuffing each front into the bump with the other 3 tires on the ground. I actually had the C/V hitting the stock crossmember before it was binding at all.

Now that you bring it up, it would be interesting to lift the front bumper with the cherry picker until the front tires are off the ground. I was thinking the 12" shocks were the limiting factor, but I can't remember.
 
I ground the stops down on the front shaft joint. And I have a lot of droop. I bet mine sits at about a 4 inch lift angle then drops 12 inches from there. Have not had an issue. These both have another 2 inches of droop to go.

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My stops are ground and I run a 1410 joint at the pinion. My front axle is moved forward about 2.5" and is shimmed 2 degrees. 52s up front and I have a ton of droop. I used to have issues with the 1310 at the pinion before the shims and 1410 yoke swap.
 
ktmoutfront said:
I ground the stops down on the front shaft joint. And I have a lot of droop. I bet mine sits at about a 4 inch lift angle then drops 12 inches from there. Have not had an issue. These both have another 2 inches of droop to go.
Click to expand...

Is that a stock style front C/V? If it works on your rig, it's enough angle for the rest of us. What kind of slip joint is in it? Oh, and what happens if you go up the other side of the ramp so the passenger front tire is drooped?
 
Blue85 said:
Is that a stock style front C/V? If it works on your rig, it's enough angle for the rest of us. What kind of slip joint is in it? Oh, and what happens if you go up the other side of the ramp so the passenger front tire is drooped?
Click to expand...

Bone stock GM supplied drive shaft. Stops ground down. I don't do the ramp rear passenger up the ramp. Can't see it. That is only partial droop anyways. Full droop is front end air born.
 
Blue85 said:
Is that a stock style front C/V? If it works on your rig, it's enough angle for the rest of us. What kind of slip joint is in it?
Click to expand...

You dont use much slip with links :whistle:







Well ones set up correctly...
 
I only use about an inch of spline On the front drive shaft and 1.5 inches of spline on the rear driveshaft.
 
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