Easy lifehacks

What is the proper pinion angle?

What is the proper pinion angle?

According to Currie, the average car crafter should strive for between 1 and 3 degrees between the tailshaft of the transmission and driveshaft, and 1 to 3 degrees between the driveshaft and pinion. Furthermore, the two angles should be nearly equal (between 1 and 3 degrees), but always opposite (see crude diagram).

How do you adjust rear pinion angle?

Subtract the pinion angle from the driveshaft angle. The result is “TRUE Pinion Angle”. In order to apply preload you need negative TRUE pinion angle. Adjust so that the front of the pinion goes down; continue to check each angle until the pinion angle is more degrees down than the driveshaft angle.

Does lowering a car change pinion angle?

Yes, lowering the rear suspension changes your pinion angle and affects how your LCAs respond (squat) under hard acceleration.

How to calculate the pinion angle of a car?

If the angle of the rearend is steeper than that of the driveshaft, subtract the angle of the driveshaft from that of the rearend to see how much positive pinion angle you have. For example, if you have a rearend angle of 5 degrees from vertical nose up and the driveshaft is angled up at 3 degrees,…

What happens if your rear end has a positive pinion angle?

You never want the rearend setup with positive pinion angle. This is when the yoke of the rearend is tilted upward more than the driveshaft. This can lead to binding of the u-joints and will hurt traction and break driveline components. To check the pinion angle, the vehicle needs to be sitting with its weight on the tires, as it would be normally.

How is the pinion angle of a leaf spring measured?

Pinion Angle Measurement. For example, if you have a rearend angle of 5 degrees from vertical nose up and the driveshaft is angled up at 3 degrees, you have 2 degrees of positive pinion angle. If this was a leaf spring car, you’d need to change the angle by 7 degrees to get 5 degrees of negative pinion angle.

Where can I buy a pinion angle finder?

An angle finder can be bought from places such as Sears for about $10. Begin by measuring the angle of the driveshaft and writing it down. Then remove the driveshaft from the yoke (no need to totally remove it and spill tranny fluid everywhere) and place the angle finder on the end of the yoke.

How can I change the pinion angle on my Hotrod?

You can alter the rear end pinion shaft angle by inserting or removing wedge shaped shims under the rear spring mounts or by adjusting the length of the control arms positioning the rear end. Answer: Most vehicles have a frame that is kicked up in the rear and may have other portions that are not flat.

What should the pinion angle be on a rear wheel drive car?

Here is guide to checking the relative angle between the centerline of the pinion gear in the rearend and the center line of the driveshaft. This is known as pinion angle. Pinion angle is important due to the forces at work in the rearend and rear suspension of a rearwheel drive vehicle.

How is the pinion angle calculated on a Jaguar?

Inserting shims underneath the transmission mount changing the centerline in relation to the rear differential raised the rear of this transmission. This highly modified Jaguar rear end mounted in a ’32 Ford chassis illustrates how this driveshaft has angles to be calculated from both the top and side.

What’s the best way to measure the pinion angle?

If the driveshaft was angled upward (it would be rare to find one that isn’t) and the rearend is nose down (not always the case, so be sure you know which way its positioned), just add together the two angles you measured.

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Ruth Doyle