OK. I am sure this has been asked before but I cannot find it....I have a set of BMR LCAs and the Lower Control Arms relocation Brackets, a BMR Upper control arm mount and adjustable upper control arm. How do I adjust my pinion angle to ensure it is correct? The car is lowered and with the reloaction brackets I know the pinion angle is off. The rear-end is making a clicking sound, but only on decel. When I asked about this I was basically told that it was because of my pinion angle being off and that if I fix the pinion angle the noise would go away. Does anybody else have this problem? If anybody can help me I would appreciate it.

 

From reading your post, I'm not sure if I completely understand the nature of your question, so if I tell you the part that you already know, please don't be insulted.

I have not seen your setup, but I expect that the upper members is where you will perform the adjustment, but I would have to see the suspension to know for sure.

You will need an adjustable protractor level. With the driveshaft removed, measure the angle of the transmission output shaft and make note of it. Then measure the angle at the yoke of the rear axle. They should both be the same number of degrees from plumb. Basically the centerline of the pinion and the centerline of the transmission output shaft must be parallel.

Hope this helps.

 

I am not sure that is the correct technique for our cars.

Don't get me wrong...that is correct for general applications with a solid driveshaft and universal (cardan) joints on both ends, BUT, The S197 cars have a 2-pc driveshaft with a combination of universal and CV-type joints. The shaft runs straight (or very close to it) for a while after the transmission, then there is another joint and the driveshaft angles down to the rear end.

...I don't think that the "standard procedure" of setting the pinion and trans shaft paralell is correct with the multi-pc driveshaft.

I also have BMR rear end components. They came with adjusting directions. I took a photo of mine from my "car papers" file and posted it here. I followed this procedure and I have no noise or vibration.




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Thanks Al. That is what I needed. I got my instructions and there was the same picture but nothing next to it. I assume I just got a bad copy or something. I was starting to wonder because when I ordered the arm they said there were detailed instructions in it for how to correct the angle. I had planned to call them about it tomorrow and ask but I knew someone else on here had to know. Thanks again Al.

 

OK. I know this will be a stupid question but it says to place an angle finder on the rear portion of the driveshaft, is a angle finder a level? I went to try and find a angle finder/angle gauge and was looked at like I was an idiot. Could someone please clarify what tool I am looking for? Thanks.

 

I used a digital inclinometer to adjust mine. I set it at 3.8 degrees and I have had no problems at all. I borrowed it from a friend at a ford dealership, but you could probably rent one. It makes it SO much easier.

 

Most of them look like the attached picture.

It is a device that has a weighted pointer and a calibrated disc that reads degrees. Unlike a level which simply tells you "level or not" this will tell you what angle an object is leaning at.

You can make one out of a protractor, a piece of string, and a weight if you are feeling cheap.

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I can't remember if I read this before or not but do you have to ajust the pinon angle with gear changes? Or can you leave the pinion angle the same. I'd hate for my rear end to shake apart 80mi from home.

 

No, you do not have to change your pinion angle with a gear change. It will be exactly the same before and after.

 

YESS!!!!I know where I might be at next week.