Pinion angle

[Bobby D.]

How does my pinion angle look in this picture?

 

[99ncxj]

Before answering that, I would need to know what type of joint you have at the transfercase. If you have a double cardan joint at the TC, you want the pinion to be straight inline with the drive shaft, which it looks like it probably is in this pic. If you have a standard u joint on the TC, then this angle is probably way off.

 

[Bobby D.]

yea double cardan joint

so it don't look too low?

this pic was taken from closer to the rear of the jeep.

 

[willness33]

Looks close, but maybe a tad high, Bobby. Can you get a straight on side shot?

 

[GCncsuHD]

Looks close, but maybe a tad high, Bobby. Can you get a straight on side shot?

Way high for a regular u-joint shaft, but he said he has a double cardan shaft, so it looks a hair low, but probably not enough to vibe significantly.

 

[Bobby D.]

I'm getting vibes and the #2 ujoint keeps taking a crap on me

 

[J.C.]

Like the others said, for a DC joint at the case, the pinion should point directly at the tcase output, ie. the pinion and driveshaft should be parallel. From this pic of it the pinion is too low.

 

[MarsFab]

I see johnny johnny joints on the axle end of the links. Whats at the frame end, JJ's or poly bushings?

It also looks like the shaft may be a tad too long. Doesn't look to have much compression left but its hard to tell, Its possible that when the rear drops out it over compresses the shaft.

I'm assuming that its a TJ. How much lift do you have. Is it belly up, stock pan, aftermarket belly pan, motor mount or case lift?

 

[willness33]

Way high for a regular u-joint shaft, but he said he has a double cardan shaft, so it looks a hair low, but probably not enough to vibe significantly.

Yeah, he posted that second pic as I was typing (very slowly). It looks a little low in the second pic.

 

[tireburner1975]

The fill plug isn't tight enough.

 

[willness33]

I see johnny johnny joints on the axle end of the links. Whats at the frame end, JJ's or poly bushings?
It also looks like the shaft may be a tad too long. Doesn't look to have much compression left but its hard to tell, Its possible that when the rear drops out it over compresses the shaft.
I'm assuming that its a TJ. How much lift do you have. Is it belly up, stock pan, aftermarket belly pan, motor mount or case lift?

It's a Clayton's kit unless he's changed it recently. I'm not sure of the height or skid mods.

 

[MarsFab]

Yea I figured its was just wasn't sure. I think Clayton only offers JJ's at both ends right?
I cant remember.

 

[Bobby D.]

Here's a pic as close to perpendicular to the u-joint as I could get

I see johnny johnny joints on the axle end of the links. Whats at the frame end, JJ's or poly bushings?

JJ's

It also looks like the shaft may be a tad too long. Doesn't look to have much compression left but its hard to tell, Its possible that when the rear drops out it over compresses the shaft.

the arms connect to the frame real close to the DC joint
I put the magnet retriever as close to the #1 u-joint as possible

to show arm connection point vs T-case u-joint point

I'm assuming that its a TJ.

yes sir that is a correct assumption.

How much lift do you have. Is it belly up, stock pan, aftermarket belly pan,

I have a 3.5" Clayton LA kit with the Clayton belly cross member that holds up an NV3550 & Atlas II and belly pan.

motor mount or case lift?

1" motor mount lift on a 4.0

The fill plug isn't tight enough.

Do you mean the one for the blinker fluid? how much pressure do you think it's holding back?

 

[MarsFab]

Lol! Looks like you've covered my questions. Seems to me everything should work good. The only thing I can imaging it being. Is that you might be over drooping the shaft. If that ain't it I'm at a loss.

 

[Bobby D.]

looks like I'm going to try raising the pinion angle. any suggestions (tips or tricks) on pulling the upper control arms out on a 4 link?

 

[Chris_M]

crack the jam nuts loose, then with a jack under the pinion, take the bolts for the upper arms out on the axle end of the arms.
jack up on the pinion until it's right. adjust one arm out/in to line up with the truss. measure and make sure axle is still centered left-to-right, adjust as needed, the adjust other upper arm to line up with the truss.

 

[Bobby D.]

Thanks chris!