Tools Required
J 23498-A Driveshaft Inclinometer,
or equivalent
The working angle of a U-joint is formed by the difference between the angles
of two shafts that intersect. The propeller shaft system on this vehicle incorporates
2 U-joints, and therefore has two U-joint working angles.
| • | The forward working angle is formed by the intersection of the front and
rear propeller shafts. |
| • | The rear working angle is formed by the intersection of the rear propeller
shaft and the drive axle pinion. |
When measuring and evaluating driveline working angles, observe the following:
| • | The U-joint working, or cancelling angles should be equal to each other
within the range specified in this procedure to provide effective cancellation of
the U-joints. |
| • | No working angle should exceed 4 degrees. |
| • | No working angle should be equal to zero. An angle of 0 degrees
will cause premature U-joint wear due to a lack of rotation of the needle bearings
in the U-joint. |
| • | Always orientate the J 23498-A
, or equivalent, so that it faces the same side of the vehicle for each measurement
taken. |
| • | Be sure to accurately record the measurements
taken on a diagram, similar to the one shown. |
Measurement Procedure
- Raise and support the vehicle. Ensure that the drive axle is supported
at ride height - vehicle body supported by suspension components - with
the wheels free to rotate. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Inspect the lateral alignment of the propeller shafts before proceeding.
| 2.1. | From underneath the propeller shafts, look down the length of the shafts
from front to rear. Inspect the alignment of the shafts to each other. |
| 2.2. | From underneath the shafts, if the propeller shafts are not aligned to
each other in a straight line, then the lateral alignment of the propeller shafts
needs to be adjusted before proceeding. |
The propeller shaft support bearing
assembly can be relocated slightly to one side in order to improve the alignment of
the shafts. Ensure that you do not create a ground-out condition against the exhaust
or any other component.
- Place the transmission in NEUTRAL.
- Ensure that the vehicle has a full tank of fuel or the equivalent amount
of weight in the rear to simulate a full tank. The weight of 3.8 L (1 gal)
of gasoline is approximately 2.8 kg (6.2 lb).
- Clean any corrosion or foreign material from the U-joint bearing caps.
- Remove any of the U-joint bearing cap snap rings that may interfere with
the correct placement of the J 23498-A
, or equivalent .
- Measure
the angle of the drive axle pinion.
| 7.1. | Rotate the drive axle pinion to align the pinion yoke flanges vertically. |
| 7.2. | Install the J 23498-A
,
or equivalent to the lower U-joint bearing cap of the drive axle pinion. |
| 7.3. | Using the J 23498-A
,
or equivalent , measure and record the angle of the drive axle pinion. |
- Measure the angle of the front propeller shaft.
| 8.1. | Do not rotate the propeller shaft. With the propeller shaft in the same
position, the front propeller shaft flange will be aligned vertically. |
| 8.2. | Install the J 23498-A
,
or equivalent, to the lower U-joint bearing cap of the front propeller shaft yoke. |
| 8.3. | Using the J 23498-A
,
or equivalent , measure and record the angle of the front propeller shaft yoke. |
- Rotate the propeller shafts 1/4 turn.
- Measure the angle of the rear propeller shaft.
| 10.1. | With the propeller shaft in this position, the U-joints of the rear propeller
shaft will be aligned vertically. |
| 10.2. | Install the J 23498-A
,
or equivalent, to the lower U-joint bearing cap of either of the U-joints on the rear
propeller shaft. |
| 10.3. | Using the J 23498-A
,
or equivalent , measure and record the angle of the rear propeller shaft. |
- Remove the J 23498-A
,
or equivalent .
- Install any U-joint bearing cap snap rings that were removed prior to
installing the J 23498-A
, or equivalent
.
- Calculate the U-joint working angle at each intersection of two shafts.
Subtract the larger number from the smaller to obtain the working angle.
For example: If the drive axle pinion has an angle of 16 degrees and the connecting
propeller shaft has an angle of 13 degrees, then the working angle of that
intersection is 3 degrees.
- Compare the difference between the 2 working angles of cancelling
U-joints to the following specification:
Specification
Allowable range of difference between cancelling
U-joint working angles: 0.25 degrees to 1.0 degrees
- If the difference between the cancelling U-joint working angles is not
within the specified range, then the angles require adjustment.
