1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Adjusting pinion angle

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by drexotic, Feb 25, 2008.

  1. Feb 25, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    419
    I've just ordered my new CV drive shaft but now need to change my pinion angle so that it is aligned with the output shaft of the transfer case.
    Anyone have experience with doing this?
    I have a D44. My shaft is now only 14 inches long and will have ~30 degree slope (till I mess with it more)! :rofl:
    Here's an illustration from Tom Woods site that shows how it needs to be . . .

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Feb 26, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    419
    Can I shim my axle or is it better to move string perches (sounds like a lot of work)?
     
  3. Feb 26, 2008
    MCSCOTT

    MCSCOTT Member

    Columbia, Tn
    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2006
    Messages:
    905
    I would move the perches. As long as you can weld, you wont have any trouble. Pull the axle, cut the old one off, get new perches since you can usually find them fairly cheap, take the grinder to the axle and clean it up and weld them back on where they need to be. Get a decent degree finder and make sure you have both perches at the same pitch on the axle.
     
  4. Feb 26, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    419
    Thanks . . . My welding is still in the infant stage but I have some big tubing that I picked up at a construction site that I can practice on. Might be a good project!
     
  5. Feb 27, 2008
    JeepTherapy

    JeepTherapy Sponsor

    Negaunee, Michigan
    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2006
    Messages:
    695
    That is way too much angle to shim. It is very easy to cut the spring perches off and weld in new ones. The way I have always done them is essentially install the axle with the perches unwelded. Snug the U-bolts, adjust the axle to where it needs to be. Tac the perches in place. Remove the axle and full weld them. Make sure you get the axle good and clean where you will be welding. I would also buy new perches rather than try to reuse the old ones. In the whole scheme of things they are very cheap.
     
  6. Feb 27, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    419
    Thanks, great advise!

    I ordered new perches last night, should be here by the weekend. I might practice with the perches I cut off and if I don't feel good about my welds I'll just tack the new ones in place and get them welded by a pro.

    One more thought . . . Is there any advantage in using a longer rear shackle now that I want my pinion angle raised. Right now my shackles are stock. Would it be better to go to a 4-6 inch shackle?"
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2008
  7. Feb 28, 2008
    JeepTherapy

    JeepTherapy Sponsor

    Negaunee, Michigan
    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2006
    Messages:
    695
    I don't like long shackles. The side forces transmitted to the mounts get pretty extreme. I try to stick with shackles that are just long enough. Sometimes with the larger lift kit springs there is so much arch that the springs dictate a longer shackle. Make any shackle changes before you weld your perches. If you do a search for lift shackles you should find a lot of good information on it.
     
  8. Feb 28, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    419
    Well I just put a hold on my new shafts. Getting ready to move my spring perches and looking at my springs I'm thinking it's time to make a change. I'd like to go Spring over (but I'd like to drive my Jeep for a while before I start another project!) but I don't really want to pay for shafts twice and if I'm going to move my perches maybe now is the time.
    How much problem is it to do the SOA conversion?
    Maybe time for a new thread?
     
  9. Feb 28, 2008
    CJ-X

    CJ-X Member

    Ohio
    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2006
    Messages:
    816
    I believe that an SOA conversion is a little much for a CJ-5. It works good on CJ-7's and YJ's because they are typically wider and longer. If you plan on doing a cj-5 SOA, at least consider making it wider for lateral stability. I made mine wider and longer, and I believe it is more stable now than it ever was. But, it is a lot of work to do it right.

    Hey, If you decide to change the pinion angle, like your drawing. I would recommend not having the pinion angle the same as the driveshaft angle. Instead, make it slightly lower. Like 1-2 degrees. That might allow for some spring sag or having a load in the rear of your jeep.
     
  10. Feb 28, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    419
    I think I'm moving away from the idea of doing the SOA swap . . . At least for now. Just too big of a project. I'd like to spend some time on the trails!

    Right now I'm planning on 1-2 degrees less (below) a straight line to the yoke on the transfer case and using a 4 inch shackle.
     
New Posts