Tools Required
J 23498-A Driveshaft Inclinometer
Inspect the propeller shaft for correct phasing. Correct phasing means that
the front and the rear U-joint are directly in line or parallel with each other so
that proper cancellation takes place.
- 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.
- Place the transmission in NEUTRAL.
- 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
.
- Inspect the propeller shaft for proper phasing.
5.1. | Rotate the propeller shaft to align the rear shaft flanges vertically. |
5.2. | Install the J 23498-A
to the lower U-joint bearing cap of the rear U-joint of the propeller shaft. The J 23498-A
should be aligned perpendicular
to the propeller shaft. |
5.3. | Set the indicator line on the J 23498-A
to 15, the horizontal reference. |
5.4. | Rotate the propeller shaft slightly to center the bubble to the indicator.
The U-joint is now vertical. |
5.5. | Without disturbing the setting on the J 23498-A
, remove the J 23498-A
from the rear U-joint bearing cap. |
5.6. | Install the J 23498-A
to the lower U-joint bearing cap of the front U-joint of the propeller shaft. |
5.7. | Observe the reading of the front U-joint with the J 23498-A
still set to 15, the horizontal reference. |
- If the difference between the front and rear U-joints of a welded-yoke
propeller shaft is 3 degrees or less, the propeller shaft is properly phased.
- If the difference between the front and rear U-joints of a welded-yoke
propeller shaft is greater than 3 degrees, the propeller shaft is either constructed
improperly, or damaged from twisting and it requires replacement to restore proper
cancellation of the U-joints.