Anybody running a NON CV front drive shaft?...or I got the driveshaft blues....

[Iron Horse]

I'm just thinking out loud here....So feel free to check my logic,

After my 6" susp. lift my front drive shaft gave me some bad vibes...bad enough that I have removed it. Well, winter is coming and I need to solve my problem somehow, so here is what I'm wondering:

1) Looking at my TC angle and my front diff angle it seems I am closer to making them parallel than I would if I tried to point my front diff at the TC output. Pointing it at the TC output will put my caster way over the point of being safe and controllable...it's not the best right now.

2) However if I bring my front diff down a little and get it parallel (or really close) to the TC output...then I should be able to: Help my caster some and run a non CV drive shaft right?

3) If this is not possible then what do I need to do to get "less" vibes in my current or a new front DS....without killing my caster. (please don't say cut and rotate my knuckles...)

[ September 12, 2002, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: Iron Horse ]

[porkchop]

I run one but the vibes are terrible :eek: ! It does ok when just creeping along but as soon as you try to get any speed then....

My front axle is set up for a CV front though. So if your axle is parrell then you should be able to run it fine. I had a no CV in the rear for the longest time.

[Iron Horse]

Does anyone know if Rusty's 6" kit alters pinion angle up front? I guess my first operation is to rebuild my front DS. Drive it see what happens. Next I'll slip in a couple 3 deg. shims up front and lift the pinion up....Drive it see what happens again. I'm just afraid that by lifting the front pinion angle that I'll be all over the road....we shall see though.

[River Beast]

Your best bet is to purchase a hybrid high angle CV from www.arizonadrivelines.com... (http://www.arizonadrivelines.com...) prolly $275 or less to your door and can go to 40 degrees... garanteed for life.

They can build it to your specs and get it to you in 5 days or less... depending on what day you order it.

[Iron Horse]

RB,....will a high angle DS work even if the front diff. does not point at the TC output? I was under the impression that I still would have to rotate the diff up to take care of any vibes. Mabey I'm just being too picky on the vibe thing....

Andy

[ September 12, 2002, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: Iron Horse ]

[porkchop]

With a CV shaft it is best to have the diff point at the case as much as possible. Should give the guys at AA drivelines a call and ask them. Scott is really helpful. You can get the number from the link in RB's post.

Not sure about rusty's changing the pinion angle or not.

[RamJetFSJ]

The diff will still need to be pointed at the TC. It should be within 3 degrees, especially if you are running a Full Time case, or use your 4 wheel drive over 30 mph. But dont point it directly at the TC output, it should be about 1 degree atleast, to keep the pins in the Ujoint caps moving and lubed, otherwise it will dry out and burn up really quick.

I just put Rustys 4" springs on, and have a chevy and 700R4, so my trannys alot farther back than stock, and I have over 7 degrees on my front UJoing right now!! I will need a 2.5 shim to get it to about 3 degrees. I run a Part Time TC, so its not that big of a deal, but I do want to run in mud and sand alot, so hi speeds will be necessary in 4 wheel drive, so Ive got to get it as close to 3 as possible, but Ill probably shoot for 5 degrees.

For example, the max RPM of a standard Ujoint at 3.25 degrees normal operating angle is 5000, but with 7 degrees its only 2500 RPM (which is still good for 40 or so mph) but wil probably vibrate.

But as it stands right now, Ive got the CV running at 16.5 deg, which is .5 over what you want. The stock CV is good at normal operating angle of up to 16, and will bind at 20.

[ September 12, 2002, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: RamJetFSJ ]

[Iron Horse]

Ya, I get vibes around 45-50 mph. I'm still running w/ a NP229 case :rolleyes: because it's soooo nice in the winter up here....I really need to swap it out though. Like I said I'll just take it one step at a time and test it out between....my last course of action will be the high angle DS....but only if I have to.

Thanks for the help,

Andy

[scotty]

as long as it will spin wihtout binding,id think you could run a non-cv shaft and not have vibes as long as the angles are the same. it will prolly get ya thru the winter, but youll hafta check where it binds up and put some limiting chains or straps on it to use it off road. very bad things can happen when the driveshaft binds up,so youll prolly lose some wheel travel with a non cv shaft.

[River Beast]

The only limitation to the vibe-free non CV shaft is the operating angle in regard to length (with parallel yokes)...there is a forumula for determining length and angle... I can't remember where I saw it.. If I find in... I'll edit this post...