Driveline Alignment with Hinson Mounts
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 385
Likes: 10
From: North Charleston, SC
Driveline Alignment with Hinson Mounts
So I've found sporadic info on rear cradle alignment after removal for my '02Z. Some guys bolt the driveline back in and go, seemingly without issues. I err more on the side of caution even if involves more cost or effort, meaning personal re-work or full alignment at a dealer equipped to do it correctly.
I recently installed Hinson 3/8" drop engine mounts (without lowering the front cradle) and the fact that the mounts themselves don't have the alignment pins that the stock ones do leaves me unhappy. There isn't much room for movement but enough that it makes me worry, especially since I'm also reinstalling the entire driveline after upgrades as well. The amount of alignment tolerance that can be built up between shifted mount placement plus shifted rear cradle placement is rather concerning.
I'm also installing the Hinson trans mount. The placement of the diff onto the cradle is the only point that I can be sure I'm placing in the exact original alignment. I also have enough dirt marks from the years to be pretty confident with the cradle alignment but not 100%.
Please enlighten me on what truly is necessary to be aligned on the driveline. The legit shop manuals don't mention anything on the subject.
I recently installed Hinson 3/8" drop engine mounts (without lowering the front cradle) and the fact that the mounts themselves don't have the alignment pins that the stock ones do leaves me unhappy. There isn't much room for movement but enough that it makes me worry, especially since I'm also reinstalling the entire driveline after upgrades as well. The amount of alignment tolerance that can be built up between shifted mount placement plus shifted rear cradle placement is rather concerning.
I'm also installing the Hinson trans mount. The placement of the diff onto the cradle is the only point that I can be sure I'm placing in the exact original alignment. I also have enough dirt marks from the years to be pretty confident with the cradle alignment but not 100%.
Please enlighten me on what truly is necessary to be aligned on the driveline. The legit shop manuals don't mention anything on the subject.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 385
Likes: 10
From: North Charleston, SC
The holes for the cradle pins are ovular and the bolt studs have some play as well. I'm not home to measure it at the moment but I'd say it has ~1/4" of potential movement.
