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Pinion Angle

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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 05:12 AM
  #1  
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davE350
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Pinion Angle

It looks as if my is slightly down in the front. Is there anyway to check it?
I have an 86, 6.9 E350, C6, with a one piece drive shaft going to a 4.10 gear.

At speeds above 55 it develops not really a vibration but sounds as if I have
monster truck tires on her. Forget about going over 65 seems like I'm causing harm to the vehicle. She just turned 126,000, when I bought her at 123,000
I had to install a rear universal to get her home.

Thanks,
davE350
 
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 06:01 AM
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Cuda_jim
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From: MICHIGAN
Not sure about the pinion angle. All I know is that don't want the pinion pointing directly at the tranny, ie. straight line. If it's straight you will get Growling or vibrations.

Check the differential for Low fluid level or contaminated fluid. It may need changing.

Put the rear on jack stands supported under the axle, not the frame. Start it up, put it in gear, roll under the truck (carefully of course) and listen for the noise. You can use a short piece of garden hose held to your ear to pinpoint the noise. Start at the pinion on the differential. Feel the housing too, it should be very warm but not so hot you can't touch it. Same for the wheel bearing areas. Then the rear of the trans.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 06:18 AM
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davE350
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Thanks Jim,

It's not pointing towards the C6. It's seems to be aiming towards the ground a few degrees. I will do the hose diagnostic test. That sounds nasty doesn't it?
Or I will perform the rear end check! err, check my pinion angle. Man can't get out of this one.:-)

Thanks again for the info,
daE350
 
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 01:08 PM
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rclarke
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As above the pinion shaft should not be pointed at the transmission. It should be very near parallel to the transmission output shaft. Before I retired I had a bubble level with a magnet that could be stuck to a u-joint cup to check the angle. It must be checked with the weight on the wheels not jacked up.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 11:01 PM
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had similiar prob with my 150,you will need a magnetic dial gauge or protractor,the basics are,theres an angle between the pinion an d/shaft and an angle between gearbox an d/shaft they have to be as close as possible.there is tons of info online just type in pinion angle adjustment and away ya go,hope this helps ya out.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2007 | 10:54 PM
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davE350
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Originally Posted by red58
had similiar prob with my 150,you will need a magnetic dial gauge or protractor,the basics are,theres an angle between the pinion an d/shaft and an angle between gearbox an d/shaft they have to be as close as possible.there is tons of info online just type in pinion angle adjustment and away ya go,hope this helps ya out.
My Brother-in-law owns a NAPA store, he said pretty much the same thing as you stated on how the relationship between the two has to be the same or close. I did not think to do a goole search on the subject though.

Thank you Red58,
davE350
 
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Old Aug 2, 2007 | 11:14 PM
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red58
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From: new south wales aust
no probs mate,i ended sorting my truck out,its smooth as now,but did take a fair bit of messing around,if yours is out a bit you might have to get spring wedges or shims.i had to because i lowered my truck which changed the angles,but it was worth the time.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2007 | 11:27 PM
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davE350
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Red58,

If it has shims & the ride height, as far as I know, has not been enhanced what would make it change?

davE350
 
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Old Aug 3, 2007 | 02:04 AM
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red58
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From: new south wales aust
it may not be a pinion angle issue.mine started from lowering the truck,from what i,ve read,raising,lowering the vehicle will do it and even gearbox and/or engine changes,sagged rear springs[have to be sagged bad tho].if this problem has just started and ya truck has,nt been changed in awhile i would look at basics first,like engine/gearbox mounts uni joints,springs and even seized shocks can cause dramas,also driveshaft can get out of balance.this problem can drive ya nuts but it is fixable,if i was down the road i,d give ya a hand,but seein i,m in aussie land,let us know how u go
 
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