Pinion angle w/o engine installed?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: New Plymouth, ID
Pinion angle w/o engine installed?
I've searched and haven't found exactly what I'm looking for... I just received my Heidt's 4 link and I'm anxious to get started but I'm curious if anyone's installed theirs without the engine installed... Is there a generic angle to start with so I can weld the brackets on to the rear end housing? I know I can adjust some after install with the bars but I'm not sure how many degrees of adjustment I'd have with just the bars alone so I'd like to get it in the ballpark to start...
I'm assuming there is an angle to set measuring the pinion angle against the level frame?
JB
I'm assuming there is an angle to set measuring the pinion angle against the level frame?
JB
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Kansas City area
Most people use 2-3 degrees down for the engine/tranny (that usually sets the carb mounting surface level if using a carb) and a matching 2-3 degree angle up on the pinion. This gives you parallel centerlines. Do a search on "pinion angle" and you should get quite a bit of info. Of course, with a 4-link you should have ajustability.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: New Plymouth, ID
I'll plan on tack welding the brackets on for 3 degrees up and fine tune with the bars from there once I get the rest of the drivetrain. I'll be able to knock the tacks off and adjust as well if I'm not in the ballpark once the rest of the mock-up is together... Thanks for the help!
JB
JB
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Sacramento, CA
4 link axle backet angle
I don't know about the Heidt's setup, but the TCI 4 link that I just bought says to setup the axle brackets so that the rear side of the brackets (where the three holes for the coilover shocks are located are parallel with the mounting surface for the 3rd member. Hope this helps.
Chris
Sacramento, CA
Chris
Sacramento, CA
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: New Plymouth, ID
so that would mount the brackets with a zero degree pinion angle and then you would adjust with the heims joint on the bars... how much thread in inches do you have for adjustment on your bars?
JB
JB
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Sacramento, CA
I'll have to go check how long the threads are on the rod ends, but I gotta believe that there is enough for adjustment. Besides, Unless you know how all the variables will affect the ride height of your truck, trying to set your pinion angle by where you position your brackets on the housing is pretty chancy.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Chris
Sacramento
Just my 2 cents worth.
Chris
Sacramento
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: New Plymouth, ID
I'll have to call Heidt's again... just got the kit today and the brackets that mount to the frame aren't even close at lining up with the holes already there... but thats another post... Back to the axle brackets... Heidts instructions say to set the axle brackets to match the engine angle... great if I had an engine installed...
JB
JB
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From: Sacramento, CA
I just looked at Heidt's instructions and they do seem rather inexact. I see your problem. I'm including a link to the instruction sheet for the TCI 4 link. I know it's a different manufacture but maybe it'll help.
++ Total Cost Involved Engineering, Inc. ++
OBTW, I just measured the rod end thread length. From the end of the rod end were the threads end to the bottom of the jam nut it's about 2 1/8 inches.
Chris
Sacramento
++ Total Cost Involved Engineering, Inc. ++
OBTW, I just measured the rod end thread length. From the end of the rod end were the threads end to the bottom of the jam nut it's about 2 1/8 inches.
Chris
Sacramento
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From: cleveland,Oh.
Dont know if this will help you out I totaly assembled my 4 link. I left an 1/2" of thread exsposed on the bars beyond the nuts. I cut a peice of flat stock 36" long and marked the center line on heads of the lower coil over bolts. Then I clamped the flat stock to the bolts to get my 36" spread. I made some fine adjustments to get the brackets horizontial and vertical @ 0 degree's.I used the bars as a reference too, they are parallel with the frame rails. They have an equal distance between them on both sides.Then I slipped the housing in and set it atop of the brackets, then I set the pinion angle to 3 degrees on the housing and checked everything again. Its easiest to strip the housing axles, center section ect. Make sure you have equal distance from the outside of the axle brackets to the ends of the axle tubes. " ARE WE HAVING FUN YET!" After double checking everything I tack welded the brackets to the housing. Good Luck and have fun, This is just my $.02 worth
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