DRIVESHAFT INFO
If you remember nothing else:
Neglect is the main enemy. Remember, Grease is the life-blood of the drive shaft.
OPERATING ANGLES AND ANGLE ALIGNMENT
The vertical and/or horizontal offset between the drive and driven shafts is what creates driveline angles.
Correct operating angles are those angles at which the manufacture has designed the driveline to operate.
These two angles are formed between the centerline of the shaft and the yokes to which it is connected.
The operating angles must be in the correct angle alignment in relationship to each other.
This means that each operating angle must be at least one degree of the other unless a constant velocity joint is utilized.
ANGLES STEP-BY-STEP
Place a spirit level protractor on the driveshaft about halfway between the transmission and the Differential.
Read and record the angle shown on the protractor scale and note whether the driveshaft points up or down at the front.
Record the angle as “3 degrees up” or “2 degrees down,” etc.
Next, measure the transmission and differential angles.
You must first locate a machined surface on the transmission and differential.
The surface must be clean and true, free of any nicks and burrs.
Again, record the angles and note whether the angles are up or down.
Once all of the components have been measured, calculations can be made to figure the operating angles and to compare angles to see if the angle alignment is correct.
To calculate operating angles, you must add or subtract the component angles- that is, the relationship of the operating angles between the transmission, driveshaft, and the differential, on each side of the driveshaft (drive and driven ends). This example shows 3 degrees of angle up for the transmission, 7 degrees up for the driveshaft, and 3 degrees up for the differential.
Please note that the transmission and the differential are parallel, the rules of geometry guarantee that the two operating angles will also be equal + or – 1 degree. Even though you know that the operating angles are equal + or – 1 degree, you must still calculate the operating angle (what the U-joint feels) to be sure that they are within specifications.
Elbe U.S.A. specifies a maximum of 6 degrees of operating angle, with lower speed applications exceeding this limit. Because all of the angles are up, you need to subtract the smaller component angle from the larger component angle at each joint. The same would be true if all the component angles were down.
Our example shows:
7 deg. – 3 deg. = 4deg. operating angle for the first joint
7 deg. – 3 deg. = 4deg. operating angle for the second joint
This example is within specifications regarding both angle alignment and operating angles.
DRIVESHAFT PHASING | DRIVESHAFT U JOINT PHASE, YOKE ALIGNMENT
Phasing is the correct alignment between yokes at each end of the shaft. If the yokes are not in phase, speed fluctuations will not be canceled out. These fluctuations cause vibration, which may damage components on the engine and the Jet pump.
In most applications, the yokes are commonly ‘in-phase’ when the yoke ears are parallel to each other. Sections of the shaft assembly have line-up arrows to assist in phasing.
