[dv657172]

Johntal1 - I guess I would prefer to have as close to zero working angle between the engine and front of the driveshaft and a resting negative pinion working angle of -2 to -2.5 degrees so that under a load everything is in alignment.

Mean Green - I agree with that. My front working angle seems too high? Engine at 4.5 degrees and driveshaft at 2.8 degrees, would you adjust to get them more in line?

[DCVING]

Originally Posted by dv657172

Johntal1 - I guess I would prefer to have as close to zero working angle between the engine and front of the driveshaft and a resting negative pinion working angle of -2 to -2.5 degrees so that under a load everything is in alignment.

Mean Green - I agree with that. My front working angle seems too high? Engine at 4.5 degrees and driveshaft at 2.8 degrees, would you adjust to get them more in line?

"DV"

A lot has to do with how much room you have for adjustment. Some cars dont have adequate room to shim the engine and or transmission to get the crank and front u-joint close to 0*. You want the engine setback angle anywhere from 1-5 degrees in my opinion. Then set your rear end angle till you obtain no more than 3 degrees of pinion angle. Depending on your suspension setup and what type of bushings your running will change what your working angle will be. make sure you make your adjustmants with the car the way it sits at the starting line. Fuel/driver/helmet jacket and pants etc etc. From you OP I think your setup pretty good. You might need to bring the rear up a degree but Id leave well enough alone, that is unless your killing joints.

[johnta1]

You want the engine plane and the rear end plane to be the same. Without the rear plane angle you have no idea what the angle is.
If you rear end angle is down and the engine angle is pointing down the same amount is what you want. (figured from front to rear)
Then if one or the other is too much then adjust the opposite to get to what the other is.


In Mean Green's case he knows what the rear end is and how much it changes. (I'm surprised the rear rotates that much under load)

[Keith Seymore]

There are two u joints in the shaft, each generating accelerations and decelerations as they rotate (two kicks per rev of the shaft).

The u joint working angles at each end need to be equal and opposite in order for those forces to cancel out.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

There are two u joints in the shaft, each generating accelerations and decelerations as they rotate (two kicks per rev of the shaft).

The u joint working angles at each end need to be equal and opposite in order for those forces to cancel out.

K

Additionally, the u joints don't care about the orientation of the individual components or the frame or the ground: only the difference between the two.

The vehicle could be on its side and the u joint working angles would be the same*.

K

*barring any changes in suspension compression, of course.

K

[johnta1]

You want the engine plane and the rear end plane to be the same.

That was supposed to be in parallel. The same angles.
If there is a left or right (as looking from top instead of side) angle difference that is also another can of worms. (like front axle on 4 wheel drive, leave that for Keith)