After lifting my XJ about 4 inches I now get a noise that sounds like a kid put a playing card in the spokes of his bicycle when I'm braking. It's coming from the rear. Wondering if it's the differential rotating slightly down when I brake and binding the U-joint??? Any thoughts?
I have a T-case drop on order, but that won't change the angle of the pinion. Take a look at the picture and tell me what you think of the angle? Do I need shims too, or is this something completely different?

 

I would simply start with the t case drop and go from there. Make sure that your u bolts are nice and tight.

 

That joint is at too steep of an angle.
ETA (not my pic):

 

I would measure the angles and find out how off you are. Anything over 3" as a general rule of thumb, should be a SYE and possibly shims. But the only way to truly know, is to measure your angles on the pinion and TC output shaft, optimum angles should be within 1-3* of each other, without a SYE. A TC drop is a bandaid fix anyways, to get you by until you can set it up properly. TC drops put added stress on motor and trans mounts. Double cardan joint is the way to go.

 

Agreed.

 

I ordered 4 degree shims and a 1" T-case drop. I can't aford a SYE right now. Hopefully it will fix the issue. Is anyone else running this setup?

 

Did you measure the angles? Reason I ask, is you need the CORRECT degree shims...you could put those on, and be in the same boat. You need to do some noggin' pokin' and find out EXACTLY how off you are...you may be able to get by with just a TC drop...or with the proper shims, and no drop, or a combination of both, but you need to know what you're working with before you start throwing money at it...still recommend a SYE...yes it costs more, but do it right, and stop tossing money into a hole, just sayin'....

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/angle-finder-94963.html

 

"NOGGIN POKIN"...

Sorry, That's just funny...
E

 

Don't be sorry. It IS funny. Google "noggin pokin".

 

The angles in that pic are COMPLETELY wrong.

Single cardan shafts MUST be parallel.


That set up is for a double cardan shaft


http://www.billavista.com/Tech/Artic...ble/index.html

 

New ujoints.

 

Here slow this time:
Ahhhhhhh....I said it waaaaaassss wrrrrrrrooooonnnnggggg.......
I certainly hope you are not driving...

 

If I read the info in the link correctly, with a SYE and "CV" driveshaft installed, the pinion should be inline with the driveshaft. Correct?

 

That is correct, but in that photo you don't have a CV shaft.