The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Pinion angle

With so much written on setting pinion angle it all becomes a little confusing. I'm using a digital level my trans output shaft is at -3.5 deg depending on where I set the pinion the drive shaft will see a - 2- 2.75 deg I have read that the u-joints need 1-3 deg for optimum performance. Do I want + 3.5 at the pinion? Thoughts and suggestions appreciated. Thanks G

Pinion should be parallel to transmission in your example.
Check the driveline tech tip for more details if you want.

Grigg

Thanks Grigg, I found the tech tip just after the post, hmmm should have looked there first.

Make sure you don't confuse the angle with the plane. The closer you can get to the same angle, the better. However, you have to have some offset in the plane. If not, the needles will stay in the same place and wear into the cross.

Ok, can you explain in detail? The horizontal plane? I hope to put this task behind me this weekend. I have enough of the truck together to do this. Thanks G

You can see the current stance of the truck by clicking on build it has roughly a 1 1/2 deg rake overall. Thanks G

You're all set, review your previous notes
Compare to the 3 basic rules found in the Tech Tip
•Rule #1 -- Universal joint operating angles at each end of a driveshaft should always be at least 1 degree.
•Rule #2 -- Universal joint operating angles on each end of a driveshaft should always be equal within 1 degree of each other.
•Rule #3 -- For virtual vibration free performance, universal joint operation angles should not exceed 3 degrees. If they do, make sure they don't exceed the maximum recommended angles.

If the driveshaft will see 2-2.75* that's more than 1* (rule #1) and less than 3* (rule #3)
Now set your pinion centerline to be parallel with the transmission/engine, or at least within 1* (rule #2)

Again, if you need more details, pictures/drawings, or further explanation check out the Spicer manuals found in the Tech Tip
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/driveline/setup/index.html

Grigg