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#1040021 07/04/2014 7:08 PM
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I have my T5 behind a 235. Have the drive shaft. Have the rear end. Now I need to get the pinion angle set right.

Is it true that with leaf springs the angle should be 5 to 7 rather than 3 or less?

Also, the angle has to be set with weight on the springs, so the truck needs to be on the tires and on the ground. But how can I compensate for the kind of weight that will really be there when the body is on?

jrdamien #1040027 07/04/2014 7:54 PM
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right, good point about the truck being on tires and on the ground, might want to make sure it is level, are you going to lower it, I suppose if you are concerned about the weight issue,you will need to weigh it. never realized that weight played a factor but ... maybe 46 jimmy will chime in, he is good at this stuff, what ever he says you can take it to the bank... wait, back up the truck, put the body and stuff on and be good to go for the angle,

Last edited by joker; 07/04/2014 7:55 PM.

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jrdamien #1040039 07/04/2014 9:06 PM
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You won't be able to set the final pinion angle until the body is on the truck with the bed wood in, fuel in the tank, etc. You can just roughly set it at much less without the weight on it, but your best bet is to do the final setting when everything is together.

Check out this article. The comments from Currie are what I agree with most, 1-3 degrees, and more than that is unnecessary and could result in other issues. If you're planning on carrying weight most of the time then that will help you decide on what your angle should be, but I would stay close to that 1-3 degrees. Keep in mind your differential and transmission centerlines should be parallel ideally, for the least vibration.


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jrdamien #1040066 07/05/2014 12:51 AM
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Bob's your uncle


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46gmcpu #1040073 07/05/2014 1:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 46gmcpu
You won't be able to set the final pinion angle until the body is on the truck with the bed wood in, fuel in the tank, etc. You can just roughly set it at much less without the weight on it, but your best bet is to do the final setting when everything is together.

Check out this article. The comments from Currie are what I agree with most, 1-3 degrees, and more than that is unnecessary and could result in other issues. If you're planning on carrying weight most of the time then that will help you decide on what your angle should be, but I would stay close to that 1-3 degrees. Keep in mind your differential and transmission centerlines should be parallel ideally, for the least vibration.

How do you mean "your differential and transmission centerlines should be parallel?" Could you elaborate/explain more?

I read the article. Currie is speaking specifically about street cars (and street cars with leaf springs), but I wonder if those comments go for trucks that will be carrying a load. Anyone else want to chime in?

Bickels comments are: "a leaf-spring suspension requires up to 6 to 7 degrees."

Last edited by jrdamien; 07/05/2014 1:25 AM.
jrdamien #1040500 07/07/2014 3:27 AM
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6-7 degrees are likely recommended for high horsepower cars. Check the application for the recommendation before final setting.


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1966 GMC 305V6 in the family
jrdamien #1042034 07/12/2014 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by jrdamien
Originally Posted by 46gmcpu
You won't be able to set the final pinion angle until the body is on the truck with the bed wood in, fuel in the tank, etc. You can just roughly set it at much less without the weight on it, but your best bet is to do the final setting when everything is together.

Check out ithis article. The comments from Currie are what I agree with most, 1-3 degrees, and more than that is unnecessary and could result in other issues. If you're planning on carrying weight most of the time then that will help you decide on what your angle should be, but I would stay close to that 1-3 degrees. Keep in mind your differential and transmission centerlines smhould be parallel ideally, for the least vibration.

How do you mean "your differential and transmission centerlines should be parallel?" Could you elaborate/explain more?

I read the article. Currie is speaking specifically about street cars (and street cars with leaf springs), but I wonder if those comments go for trucks that will be carrying a load. Anyone else want to chime in?

Bickels comments are: "a leaf-spring suspension requires up to 6 to 7 degrees."

The comments apply to trucks too. You want 1-3 during the majority of your driving. Plan accordingly.

I honestly can't make the centerline comment much clearer. If you draw a line through the middle of the output shaft on your transmission and another through the middle of the input on your differential, those lines should be as close to parallel as possible. Hope that helps.


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