SUSPENSION TECH WITH SUPERIOR ENGINEERING PINION ANGLE ASK THE EXPERTS CORRECTION It’s one of those little things that just has to be done – find out the gritty details of setting your pinion angle WORDS BY MICHAEL HAYES, PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUPERIOR ENGINEERING

inion angle is one of difference in slope between correct angle. In some situations controlling driveline vibration the most important T-case output and the driveshaft. extended shackles may add a and noise by reducing the considerations on a Coil sprung live small amount of pinion angle operating angles. These spacers lifted , but sadly such as Patrols and ‘Cruisers adjustment as well as reducing are designed to fit neatly it is often overlooked. often require a change in rear the chance of shackle inversion. between the transmission or PThe wrong angles can lead to control arm lengths once a lift Front with incorrect mount and the . Spacers horrible drive line vibrations, as has been added. The best ways pinion angles are often the cause may also help in adding well as premature failure of to do this are by replacing the of vibration as well as poor clearance for the tailshafts at U-joints, driveshafts, pinion often thin OE rear links with a and bad handling. Live full suspension droop. bearings and even transfer case heavy duty replacement item. front axle vehicles may also Please remember, if your axle output bearings. Superior Engineering has a suffer incorrect caster angles has been rotated for steeper ‘Pinion angle’ is the differ- range of heavy duty upper and and the steering problems that pinion angles, check for proper ence between the driveshaft lower control arms ideal for your go with it such as shimmy or fluid levels in the diff housing, as angle and the pinion angle on 4WD. With the rear control arms head shake. Although caster you may need to overfill to the differential. being a key component for both plates, drop boxes and drop ensure that the pinion bearing is Driveshaft-related vibrations smooth handling and putting arms will help the steering not starved for oil. usually occur at roughly engine power to the ground, they are geometry, always be sure to Whilst there isn’t a one-size- speed* in high gear. /axle also one of the lowest points and check the pinion and driveshaft fits-all remedy, with proper vibrations usually occur at 1/3rd vulnerable to damage when angles. In some extreme lift driveline geometry, there is no engine speed or driveshaft off-road. Heavy duty control setups, getting a balance reason a lifted rig can’t run as speed because of the differen- arms are available for most between correct pinion angle smooth as a stock one. As with tial gearing. popular models and have both and caster angle may require any suspension components you Every U-joint that operates at extended fixed length and having your steering knuckles may need, contact your local an angle creates a vibration. This adjustable length control arms cut off and re-clocked, to regain 4WD suspension specialist for is because the U-joint cross available to suit any lift height. acceptable kingpin caster angle. information on the best parts for rotates with the shaft in a Solid axle rear vehicles such IFS front vehicles have fixed your vehicle. circular motion while also as Toyota LandCruiser and Prado pinion working angles. Installing moving from front to rear. That as well as Nissan Patrols are a reasonable size lift may rocking back and forth motion as catered for with fixed / adjustable require a diff drop to help CV CONTACT it rotates causes the cross in the upper and lower arms available working angle, always be sure to U-joint to accelerate and to allow the diff position in the consider if the diff drop supplied SUPERIOR ENGINEERING decelerate. This creates what is rear wheel arch as well as pinion has the correct spacers to allow PH: (07) 5433 1411 called excitation torque. angle to be corrected. With for adequate pinion and diff W: www.superiorengineering.com.au Keeping the pinion parallel touring and towing vehicles in rotation to reduce vibrations. with the output of the transfer mind we also developed a bent When correcting pinion angle case will keep the angles the upper control arm to help with in any vehicle always check that *Engine speed is the 1:1 ratio of engine revolutions to gearbox same, avoiding vibrations. clearance on vehicles fitted with the tailshaft open and closed revolutions – Driveline vibrations A double cardan type constant a long range tank – these are length is within the limits of the related to engine speed are most velocity joint assembly has a also available in either fixed or shaft, if not the addition of a noticeable at shaft or engine centering mechanism that keeps adjustable. Long-arm extra-long tailshaft spacer may fix the speeds above 1500rpm. Whereas the angle between the two competition style arms are also problem for minimal cost. wheel/axle vibrations are related more to road speed rather than internal U-joints correct, available with pinion correction Gearbox or transmission driveshaft or engine speed. allowing them to completely as a key feature. spacer kits can also assist in WWW.4WDACTION.COM.AU cancel out the speeding up and On leaf sprung axles, pinion slowing down and spin the drive angle can be adjusted by adding shaft at a constant speed. tapered shims between the On axles with a double cardan semi-elliptic springs and the style shaft, the pinion and mounts on the axle housing. Six driveshaft should ideally be at a degrees is about the most angle 0-degree operating angle at ride you want to run with a wedge. height. It is important to allow Beyond that, the spring perches the double cardan joint at the should be cut off and replace- transfer case to take up the ment perches re-welded to the 161