Jeep Cherokee Pinion Angle
 

My transfer case rear output shaft was bent so I replaced it, now I'm trying to correct pinion angle. What is an acceptable degree of pinion angle, does it have to be symmetrical, or does the rear pinion angle have to be pointing down by 1 degree to compensate for pinion climb? Can I uninstall the transfer case drop and correct the angle, or should I leave it installed and correct the angle? I measured the back of the shaft and the yoke the best I could, the shaft isn't exactly flat either. What size should my leaf spring width be? What degree shim blocks should I get? I have a 3 inch lift I think. The pictures with the angle finder were taken looking towards the passenger side from the driver side while it was on a lift.

Pinion shims are used when a slip yoke eliminator is installed. Why did the output shaft bend in the first place? If you're only at 3" lift and don't have vibrations without the transfer case drop, take it out and get those ouput shaft/pinion angles as close to parallel as possible. If you've got vibes, leave the xfer drop in and run it.

Pinion shims are not only used with a SYE. I don't know how the shaft got bent, I guess bad pinion angles. When I had the bent shaft in it would vibrate like crazy, I haven't drove it except in part time 4WD without the rear driveshaft to get it to the shop.

You should be measuring your pinion angle with the jeep at ride height, not with the suspension at full droop on a lift.

It was a drive on lift, different one than in the pictures.

Gotcha. I saw it on the two post lift with the axles hanging so I assumed it was that lift. :cheers:

Yeah, I should have said that in my original post. :laughing:

With the slip yoke you want your axle pinion to be the same as your t case pinion. Maybe a little lower for the axle pinion torquing up.

With a SYE you want the axle pinion pointing right at the tcase. (Minus a degree or two for axle torque)

What is an acceptable degree for the rear pinion to be pointing down? It looks like I need a 2 degree block to lower the rear. Can somebody look at the pictures and tell me if that seems about right? I want to make sure this is done right so my new shaft doesn't get bent.

Maybe these will help.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...ee9a41c8d3.png




https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...9d5da49f1d.png