Rear End alignment
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Santa Cruz
Rear End alignment
Hello, I'm putting in an 8 inch in my 56 PU, and have to weld in new spring and shock mounts to the axle. I was wondering if the driveshaft input piece on the third member has to be at a certain angle? Does it have to point directly at the tailend of the tranny or level with the ground? Or does it not matter at all. Thanks
Craig Early
F-100 Elite of Northern California
http://www.geocities.com/norcal_f100
Craig Early
F-100 Elite of Northern California
http://www.geocities.com/norcal_f100
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,310
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From: Illinois
Rear End alignment
it has to be pointed parallel to the transmission output shaft. Find the angle of the trans tailshaft and adjust the input of the rearend the same to the same angle. Usually it is level or pointed upwards slightly depending on how well the engine was set in.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 261
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From: Winnipeg, MB
Rear End alignment
Think of it this way.. If the shaft was perfectly aligned and there was no suspension, there would be no need for a universal joint.
In most setups, the alignment lines are near parallel, so you require 2 u-joints to keep things rolling safely.
The further out of alignment you allow, the more stress there are on your u-joints. If you set it up real bad, one or both will lock up and explode, possibly twisting your driveshaft, floorboards, transmission, and differential at the same time.
A best case scenario is you will reduce the life of your u-joint.
This is one step that deserves a lot of attention. A driveshaft can spin at over 20000rpm on the highway. Balance is important.
Good luck,
Kris Taylor
1950 F47 (For Sale)
1977 XS650
1997 F150XL
In most setups, the alignment lines are near parallel, so you require 2 u-joints to keep things rolling safely.
The further out of alignment you allow, the more stress there are on your u-joints. If you set it up real bad, one or both will lock up and explode, possibly twisting your driveshaft, floorboards, transmission, and differential at the same time.
A best case scenario is you will reduce the life of your u-joint.
This is one step that deserves a lot of attention. A driveshaft can spin at over 20000rpm on the highway. Balance is important.
Good luck,
Kris Taylor
1950 F47 (For Sale)
1977 XS650
1997 F150XL
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: S.C.
Rear End alignment
I went through the same thing and mine wasn't angled correctly, so I put the original rear end back in set it on jack stands and measured the distance from the ground and distance from the bottom of the u-joint. Put the new rear-end in and get the same measurements for the new one and it will work.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 69
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Rear End alignment
Thank you for the info. Hopefully I can get it fairly close, but if I don't get it exactly it should still be ok right?
Craig
Craig
Mike K
Bay City MI