What should my drive shaft angle be?
1 to 3 degrees
Ideally, both driveshaft-operating angles will be 1 to 3 degrees. Anything over 3 degrees at the rear axle will shorten your universal joint’s life and could create vibration.
What is the maximum angle of a drive shaft?
Even with equal or intersecting angles. So, How steep can you run a drive shaft? Again , this is entirely up to you. However, most manufacturers recommend a maximum of 7 degrees.
Why does the drive line move through an angle?
It is very important that you understand the concept of non-uniform velocity of your drive line caused the “U” joints working through an angle: If you were to watch a “U” joint move through an angle (the operating angle) from an end view, you would see that the joint in the driven shaft has to move through an ellipse.
Is it OK to run a drive shaft at 30 degrees?
Most drive shafts will, depending on components used, incur a binding interference at about 30 degrees. You DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT want to run a drive shaft at any where near this angle. You need to allow for axle droop, frame flexing and differential roll.
Is there a limit to how steep a drive shaft can be?
It is for this reason that on your drivel shaft there is an upper limit to how steep you can run a drive shaft, even with equal or intersecting angles. So, How steep can you run a drive shaft? Again, this is entirely up to you, however, most manufacturers recommend a maximum of 7 degrees.
How does rolling the differential increase the operating angle?
Rolling the differential upward will lessen the total operating angle at each end of the driveshaft. Now at the transfer case end of the driveshaft you have two joints equally dividing the total angle. This will double the life of the joints at this end, additionally you will be back up to full rated life for the joint at the differential end.
What makes a jeep a ” jeep ” driveshaft?
This is typical of a stock Jeep® driveshaft. The angle – even from the factory – is a bit steep. A little lift is all it takes to put u-joints over the edge. Axle articulation and wrap during off-road maneuvers further worsen the situation. What makes most Jeeps a “Jeep” is that they are compact.
How are front and rear axles offset in a jeep?
Think of a flying mace or nunchaku, with a couple hundred foot/lbs. of torque… Nearly all front and rear axle yokes are offset downwards, expectedly. Most early Jeeps (featuring the Dana 18 or QuadraTrac transfer cases) had passenger-side offset rear axles. These offset axles brought the driveshaft inline with their transfer case.
How many degrees can you run a drive shaft?
This information will be useful in planning your swap. So, How steep can you run a drive shaft? Again, this is entirely up to you. However, most manufacturers recommend a maximum of 7 degrees. I personally believe they are conservative – they have to be.
It is for this reason that on your drivel shaft there is an upper limit to how steep you can run a drive shaft, even with equal or intersecting angles. So, How steep can you run a drive shaft? Again, this is entirely up to you, however, most manufacturers recommend a maximum of 7 degrees.