Setting/checking pinion angle(long)

[Louie L.]

Thought id post this here. Maybe Kevins or the guys can clear this up:

I installed a set of Metco LCAs with the IC bracket about 6mo ago. The cars been down and just recently have i started driving it again.

I installed the brackets to give me a 4* pinion angle. When it was all set and done,I drilled and locked the bracket s down with the provided bolt. For those not familiar with the Metcos, they provide you with a big ol bolt to lock things up with and the IC bracket is one single unit welded and coated. This is unlike the SSM bars which are 2 separate brackets per side which really let thing move around too easy.

Today in preparation for a frame notch and welding the IC barckets, i decided to recheck the brackets for tightness and all the bolts.which were fine and the angle once again.

I placed the angle finder on the driveshaft and got a 2.5* reading
I then placed the tool on both sides to the rear of the yolk where the machine flats allow the tool to sit flat.

On the drives side i got 6.5* on the pass side i got 2.5 * !!!
So by using the ds numbers i have my original 4* as planned.
but with PS numbers i have 0*? Does this mean that one side has more angle than the other? Wouldnt i have some type of bind? Would jack stand placement have anything to do with this.
I currently have the car on all fours in the air, jack stands under the front contrl arms and in the rear right under the shock brackets.

Im i measuring this right? Im i supposed to remove the DS and measure from the u bolt flange up front? Measure across the whole flange?

Just for giggles i measured the angels of the Drop brackets and
the LCAs themselves. Although these numbers are not generally used, both were dead on equal from side to side.

What im i doing wrong , or what DID i do wrong?

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

normally you can turn the yoke on the rear so a ujoint cap is facing up and sit a socket on the cap and level it side to side then check your angle inline with the drive shaft.

 

[Louie L.]

 

[John Larkin]

Louie, like Red says, check the angle as the difference between the angle of the driveshaft to the angle of the pinion. Forget the center section casting flats; the pinion is the deal. Since you have the car up, rotate the driveshaft until the u-joint has one of the caps pointing perfectly straightdown. Just remember that as your suspension is raised or lowered, you can change the IC based on that alone. If your jackstands aren't equal length or the car is on an incline, you can be off. Probably a good idea to put it on the ground and check it. Then put your angle finder level on there.

 

[Orion231]

Metco LCAs

I have the SAME kit, and have been reluctant to install it due to the measurments and angles... should I take it somewhere? Did u notice any difference after the install?

 

[Louie L.]

John and Red thanks for the info.

John thats where my dilema lays. If i measure the pinion angle on the left side i get a different number than on the othe side. In other words If i measure the angle right at the yolk where the ujoint straps are , i get different numbers on both sides. Thats why I mentioned the flats behind the yoke (backside from the u joint ends)as a straight smooth surface to take the measurement from. The driveshaft one i have no probs with.

I guess what would really help me is if some one could tell me exactly where to place the angle finder and take the up/down measurement at measurement at.

Ive installed these before, 1st time ive dealt with this percieved issue

Thanks

 

[John Larkin]

Ok, just put the angle finder directly on the end of the u-joint cap that goes through the pinion. Make sure that end is facing straight down; it's flat enough. Or also like Red said, use a socket inside the pinion flange that will sit on the u-joint cap. Then put the angle finder on the end of the socket. By doing this socket trick you can be sure you aren't using a non-true surface. Remember, there's only two places to put the angle finder: on the driveshaft, and on the pinion. No sides, no flanges, just two points. FWIW, 4° down angle on a pinion is alot. I went for 2° - street/strip. Unless you are doing an all out race car, you might think about that as well.

 

[KEVINS]

I use a long socket that will fit where the ujoint goes in the pinion. If you need to you can use one strap to hole it in.

ks

 

[Louie L.]

John ,
Thanks for the description. We are now in the same page. Ill do that today and report back.