Half shaft alignment
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,073
Likes: 414
From: Maine
Half shaft alignment
I had a new rear spring installed a few years ago, and now that I am driving my car every day, I have notice a squeak from the rear. The new spring has my car sitting higher than I think it should. 25" Front, 28"back. (215/70 15 tires).
The angle of the haft shafts should be ? Could it be the u-joints not happy with the extra height.
I have read that many of the replacement springs set the car higher .
Any pictures of what a good angle looks like?
Jack
The angle of the haft shafts should be ? Could it be the u-joints not happy with the extra height.
I have read that many of the replacement springs set the car higher .
Any pictures of what a good angle looks like?
Jack
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,693
Likes: 3,683
From: Central Arkansas
Just for the purpose of good U-joint operation there should be some angle, I guess at least 3 degrees. Beyond that I guess whatever angle it takes to set the suspension to the heigth range described in the service manual.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
The correct ride heights (and how to measure them) are shown in your Assembly Manual at the end of UPC 3 and UPC 4; the "J" and "K" dimensions are from the bottom of the rocker molding to ground (with stock 27"-tall tires), and the "Z" and "D" heights measure suspension height independent of tire size.
Rear wheel opening lip 3" higher than the front will show that the rear is out-of-spec high. Mine is in spec; photo below shows the rear spring and half-shafts with the spare tire and carrier removed - it sits a little lower with them installed.
Rear wheel opening lip 3" higher than the front will show that the rear is out-of-spec high. Mine is in spec; photo below shows the rear spring and half-shafts with the spare tire and carrier removed - it sits a little lower with them installed.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,073
Likes: 414
From: Maine
Off by 2.7 "
The correct ride heights (and how to measure them) are shown in your Assembly Manual at the end of UPC 3 and UPC 4; the "J" and "K" dimensions are from the bottom of the rocker molding to ground (with stock 27"-tall tires), and the "Z" and "D" heights measure suspension height independent of tire size.
Rear wheel opening lip 3" higher than the front will show that the rear is out-of-spec high. Mine is in spec; photo below shows the rear spring and half-shafts with the spare tire and carrier removed - it sits a little lower with them installed.
Rear wheel opening lip 3" higher than the front will show that the rear is out-of-spec high. Mine is in spec; photo below shows the rear spring and half-shafts with the spare tire and carrier removed - it sits a little lower with them installed.
Thank you for your reply. I just measured the "D" spec and there is a 2.7" deviance from spec in book. It is quite noticeable from the side view of car. As stated, at the wheel well lip , front to back difference is about 3 " .
How do I fix it. Can it be fixed or do I need a proper rear spring that will give the correct ht. If so, where are they available.
I actually like the look, but you can see and 1' or 2" above my rear wheel, when looking from side. Looked good 40 years ago, but not now.
Jack
Last edited by Jackfit; Oct 24, 2009 at 02:13 PM. Reason: Photo add
POSSE ZR-1 Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,980
Likes: 139
From: Groton CT
When I first installed my rear spring 5 years ago, the rear was high also. It settled out after about a year. Now the car sits as it should.
If you have threads left on the spring bolts, you could run the nuts down to the cotter pins. That should lower the rear a little for now.
If you have threads left on the spring bolts, you could run the nuts down to the cotter pins. That should lower the rear a little for now.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 2
From: PASADENA CALIFORNIA
How about installing longer tie bolts. Get your self some Grade Eight bolts that are longer and grade eight nylock self locking nuts. Works great. I have been doing it for years. if you are concerned about a nut backing off, you can also use lock tight or double nut it. You can adjust the ride hight to where ever you want it.
Chris, CWPASADENA
Chris, CWPASADENA
Last edited by CWPASADENA; Oct 24, 2009 at 08:42 PM. Reason: TYPO
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,073
Likes: 414
From: Maine
How do you do that?
How about installing longer tie bolts. Get your self some Grade Eight bolts that are longer and grade eight nylock self locking nuts. Works great. I have been doing it for years. if you are concerned about a nut backing off, you can also use lock tight or double nut it. You can adjust the ride hight to where ever you want it.
Chris, CWPASADENA
Chris, CWPASADENA
Jack
Last edited by Jackfit; Oct 24, 2009 at 10:49 PM. Reason: spelling
