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Pinion angles, what should they be!!
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2003 9:44 pm
by LEXX
Hey guys, seeing you fellas seem to be pretty switched on with the mechanical side of things I was wondering if anyone out there could help me with the right set-up of pinion angles.
I've just finished doing a 5.5 coil lift on the TJ and need to adjust the pinion angle so I don't go breaking a uni or anything. I got adjustable control arms upper and lower in the rear and adjustable lowers in the front, plus a double cardon drive shaft front and rear, so everything is happy is that regard.
I always had this type of stuff done by someone else and thought it was about time I learnt what I should be looking at. I've heard that about 3 degrees is the right angle I should be looking at but want to make sure, especially seeing the TJ rear drive shaft is so bloody short.
Thanx
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2003 9:51 pm
by bazooked
if ya change ur pinion angles in the front arent u going to alter ur castor angle?
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2003 10:56 pm
by LEXX
Um yer you're right but unfortunately the TJ don't have alot of adjustment as far as castor goes. I have some castor bolts installed in the front but that about as far as I goes.
Good question though, again I'm a bit of a novice on this.
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2003 11:12 pm
by bazooked
if ya want the right castor in front u might want to remove diff ,cut and rotate balls
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2003 11:38 pm
by LEXX
Cut and rotate balls sounds painfull
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 12:17 am
by Damo
LEXX wrote:Cut and rotate balls sounds painfull
Sell it and buy a zook
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 12:19 am
by Damo
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 12:22 am
by LEXX
Sorry mate would never part with the TJ, Jeep is in the blood. We have 3 in the family and couldn't break family tradition.
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 8:20 am
by HSV Rangie
the correct set up is
single uni at each end of shaft.
Both pinions to be in the same plane parralel to each other.
Double cardan joint at t/case single uni at diff:
diff pinion is to point at t/case output.
Michael.
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 8:52 am
by LEXX
Thanx Michael, just need to go and do it now!
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 10:26 am
by Damo
As bazooked said i think it's gonna cause some problems with your castor
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 10:36 am
by HSV Rangie
To do things properly.
fix pinion angles to one or the other.
Get a wheel alignment
rotate swivel housings to corect castor.
Michael.
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2003 11:45 am
by FireTruck
Hey Chistian,
since you have adjustable upper and lowers in the rear, you can adjust your pinion angle and wheelbase to suit...
As already mentioned, your rear pinion should point at your t'case output (couple of degrees bleow it actually to account for the torque rotation under power). Then flex up and see where your tyre fits in the wheelwell when stuffed... then you can crank the uppers and lowers in or out to get everything to fit.
Go for the longest wheelbase you can while keeping the tyre in the wheelwell.
For the front, I think the TJ runs 5-7 degrees of castor. You have adjustable lowers in the front, so you can adjust that also with an angle finder if you have one - but this may be better done when you get an alignment.
You will have to get an alignment anyway if you have lifted more as your front alignment will be out... you can get this close using a pipe wrench on your tie rod, then re-centre your steering wheel by adjusting the drag link.
Give me a call if you need more info/help.
S.