Measuring driveline angle
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
Measuring driveline angle
So I've swapped in a T-56. When I modified the crossmember I set the mount height as low as possible, knowing I could always shim the tailshaft up to fine tune the u-joint operating angles.
Well I've measured the front u-joint, and it only has maybe 2 degrees of operating angle, but I don't know how I can measure the rear u-joint angle because of the diff mount and rear frame crossrail. Anyone ever done this?
Well I've measured the front u-joint, and it only has maybe 2 degrees of operating angle, but I don't know how I can measure the rear u-joint angle because of the diff mount and rear frame crossrail. Anyone ever done this?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 9
From: Killeen Texas
After getting the engine & trans, transfer case and rear housing basically square to the frame, level and square w/ one another, then you get more indepth to phase-in the drive line. Using the angle finder, you get the trans tail shaft parallel to the axis of the pinion gear, both in the horizontal and vertical planes.
You MUST get that angle finder on the yoke where the bolt holes are inorder to get an accurate reading. From what you've said, you only have a problem on getting on the yoke of the differential w/ the tool.
I've used this article I have a number of times over the years, refreshing my memory everytime after the first. The article is indepth and covers the whole process from start to finish excluding nothing. The magazine/book is somewhere between 20 and 30 plus years old-can't remember where I was when I bought it. It's a "Hot Rod magazine's ENGINE." The "Hot Rod High Performance Series" Volume 3 Number 1.
If you can't find this magazine/book and need this article f/ further work, just get back w/ me and I'll get the article to you, even if I have to copy and mail it. But it seems you're over as far as getting it all done, w/ that small exception of not getting the tool on the yoke.
Best of Luck to you, sincerely...
You MUST get that angle finder on the yoke where the bolt holes are inorder to get an accurate reading. From what you've said, you only have a problem on getting on the yoke of the differential w/ the tool.
I've used this article I have a number of times over the years, refreshing my memory everytime after the first. The article is indepth and covers the whole process from start to finish excluding nothing. The magazine/book is somewhere between 20 and 30 plus years old-can't remember where I was when I bought it. It's a "Hot Rod magazine's ENGINE." The "Hot Rod High Performance Series" Volume 3 Number 1.
If you can't find this magazine/book and need this article f/ further work, just get back w/ me and I'll get the article to you, even if I have to copy and mail it. But it seems you're over as far as getting it all done, w/ that small exception of not getting the tool on the yoke.
Best of Luck to you, sincerely...
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
IIRC, I had to use a mirror to see the the angle finder once it was on the yoke. Also discovered the original driveline was near 0 degrees. I cut down the front rubber diff mount to get the front of the diff up to match the trans down angle.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
I guess I'll have to pull the driveshaft if I to get a good measurement. My original thought was to wait until the driveshaft was in so I could get the u-joint operating angle as well. So now I can only measure off the u-joint cap, which is blocked.
I think I'll just wait till the maiden voyage and see if I have any vibration.
I think I'll just wait till the maiden voyage and see if I have any vibration.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
When I put the th400 in, I made a 90 degree aluminum plate that I bolted to the pinion flange. It extended forward about a foot, and allowed me to tape a print out of a compass I downloaded. Using a string and weight, I was able to measure the pinion angle with the driveshaft out.
If I remember the angle was negative one, and I needed to raise my tranny tailshaft about as high as I could to get a positive one degree angle.
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When I put the th400 in, I made a 90 degree aluminum plate that I bolted to the pinion flange. It extended forward about a foot, and allowed me to tape a print out of a compass I downloaded. Using a string and weight, I was able to measure the pinion angle with the driveshaft out.
If I remember the angle was negative one, and I needed to raise my tranny tailshaft about as high as I could to get a positive one degree angle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
screw a long bolt into the yoke where the cap bolts on, and measure the angle of the bolt. i got a magnetic angle gauge from harbor freight that is about 1 1/2" square, and i just hang it downwards from the bolt. i used it to set my caster on my front alignment.