Suspension & Brakes Springs | Shocks | Handling | Rotors

Quick Pinion Angle question.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 27, 2008 | 02:21 PM
  #1  
DannoWS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 1
From: Central MA
Default Quick Pinion Angle question.

I've seen a billion different ways to calculate pinion angle.
Let's keep this simple.

DS +2 angle (upward into tranny)
Pinion/yoke -2 (yoke points down)

What is my pinion angle?

Thanks
Reply
Old May 27, 2008 | 02:32 PM
  #2  
BMR Tech2's Avatar
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 19
From: Tampa FL
Default

We have a three minute video that explains the correct way to set your pinion angle. Give it a look, and if you have any further questions please contact me.

http://www.bmrtvonline.com/video_detail.php?mId=3788
__________________
T.C.
Sales Pro
BMR Suspension
(813) 986-9302

Like us on Facebook!

Last edited by BMR Tech2; May 28, 2008 at 09:34 AM.
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 06:41 AM
  #3  
DannoWS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 1
From: Central MA
Default

Thanks BMR

I've seen so many different calculations here, thanks for confirming that.
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 09:18 AM
  #4  
vjo90rs8's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 982
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Default

If I am no mistaken that is -4*
Wouldn't 0* mean the driveshaft and pinion are in a perfectly straight line.
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 09:48 AM
  #5  
BMR Tech2's Avatar
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 19
From: Tampa FL
Talking

Danno was the video helpful? If you measure the driveshaft at the rear near the yolk of the rearend and it is pointing downhill that is considered negative, if the pinion is also going downhill it is also considered a negative reading. Although the needle will on opposite sides of zero when viewed from the same side of the vehicle. After reviewing your info your angle would be -4. If you have any further questions feel free to give me a call.
__________________
T.C.
Sales Pro
BMR Suspension
(813) 986-9302

Like us on Facebook!
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 10:52 AM
  #6  
DannoWS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 1
From: Central MA
Default

Originally Posted by BMR Sales
Danno was the video helpful? If you measure the driveshaft at the rear near the yolk of the rearend and it is pointing downhill that is considered negative, if the pinion is also going downhill it is also considered a negative reading. Although the needle will on opposite sides of zero when viewed from the same side of the vehicle. After reviewing your info your angle would be -4. If you have any further questions feel free to give me a call.

It's very helpful but the confusing part of the video was the calculation. I thought it was pinion(rear)* - DS*.

in the video example Rear = -5 and DS = 2

so -5 - 2= -7, but the video say's it would be -3? So you are really adding them.

so -2 - 2 = -4, but if you follow how the video says it and what you said above it would be 0. If they are both negative angles -2 - -2 = 0

That is why I am confused, but if you say its -4 that makes sense to me I guess because both DS and rear create a slight "V" angle, but the math in the video is verbally incorrect I think. So what you are saying is a + driveshaft angle should be subtracted from the pinion(rear) angle, and per say if the driveshaft was a negative it would be added to the rear angle.

Confusing huh I've been tryign to figure this out for years and I always get different responses. Think you can confirm the above math for me? Then maybe we could sticky the topic
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 11:27 AM
  #7  
vjo90rs8's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 982
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Default

I watched the video and was confused also.
I wanted to say the BMR video is wrong but didn't want to be the only one. LOL
But yes Danno you are correct. I just rechecked my pinion angle this weekend and had the rear of my car on ramps. The driveshaft was about +6* (pointing up towards the rear of the car) and my rear end was at +4*. +4-(+6)=-2
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 11:35 AM
  #8  
BMR Tech2's Avatar
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 19
From: Tampa FL
Default

Its very confusing but think of it this way. If you have a reading of-5 degrees at the rear which would put the needle to right of 0 if your looking at it from the drivers side. Then when you take the reading on the driveshaft and it is -2 to left of 0 then you would have a reading of -7 degrees. If the needle would have been to the right of zero on the driveshaft reading then you would have subtracted the +2 from the -5 and would wind up with -3 as your total. Hope that helps.
__________________
T.C.
Sales Pro
BMR Suspension
(813) 986-9302

Like us on Facebook!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 28, 2008 | 11:40 AM
  #9  
DannoWS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 1
From: Central MA
Default

Originally Posted by vjo90rs8
I watched the video and was confused also.
I wanted to say the BMR video is wrong but didn't want to be the only one. LOL
But yes Danno you are correct. I just rechecked my pinion angle this weekend and had the rear of my car on ramps. The driveshaft was about +6* (pointing up towards the rear of the car) and my rear end was at +4*. +4-(+6)=-2
When you say the rear was +4, was the yoke facing down? If your rear is +4 then it would point up toward the bottom of the car? Or am I just reading you wrong.

Using an angle finder like the one in the video if the needle is to the left of 0 that is a negative correct? Assuming you are facing/measuring at the right side of the car.
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 11:43 AM
  #10  
DannoWS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 1
From: Central MA
Default

Originally Posted by BMR Sales
Its very confusing but think of it this way. If you have a reading of-5 degrees at the rear which would put the needle to right of 0 if your looking at it from the drivers side. Then when you take the reading on the driveshaft and it is -2 to left of 0 then you would have a reading of -7 degrees. If the needle would have been to the right of zero on the driveshaft reading then you would have subtracted the +2 from the -5 and would wind up with -3 as your total. Hope that helps.
Thanks I think I understand that logic more.

I am reading my #'s from the right side of the car, so it looks like I do have a -4.
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 11:50 AM
  #11  
vjo90rs8's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 982
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Default

very confusing topic and everything is relative.

Sorry, I was not giving angle finder readings. If I were then i guess the driveshaft would be 6* to the left of 0 and the yolk would be 4* to the left of 0*.
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 12:22 PM
  #12  
DannoWS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 1
From: Central MA
Default

Originally Posted by vjo90rs8
very confusing topic and everything is relative.

Sorry, I was not giving angle finder readings. If I were then i guess the driveshaft would be 6* to the left of 0 and the yolk would be 4* to the left of 0*.
Huh so your yoke is pointed towards the floor of the car, where as mine is pointed 2* towards the ground. I guess that could be attributed to your car being lowered.
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 12:23 PM
  #13  
nahasapeemapetalon's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 1
From: Grand Forks, North Dakota
Default

The math in the video doesnt make sense. Yours would be -4 tilt up the rear so its -1 so it still makes a V but 1 degree less.
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 12:36 PM
  #14  
vjo90rs8's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 982
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Default

Originally Posted by DannoWS6
Huh so your yoke is pointed towards the floor of the car, where as mine is pointed 2* towards the ground. I guess that could be attributed to your car being lowered.
Remeber, the rear of the car was on ramps. The yolk will still be pointing up, just 2* less than the driveshaft. Which means when I put my car back at ground level the driveshaft will be 6 degree less (0*) and the yolk will be 6* less (-2*) (assuming the driveshaft will be perfectly parallel to the ground when taken off the ramps).
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 01:11 PM
  #15  
DannoWS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 1
From: Central MA
Default

Originally Posted by vjo90rs8
Remeber, the rear of the car was on ramps. The yolk will still be pointing up, just 2* less than the driveshaft. Which means when I put my car back at ground level the driveshaft will be 6 degree less (0*) and the yolk will be 6* less (-2*) (assuming the driveshaft will be perfectly parallel to the ground when taken off the ramps).
I see what you are saying. I put my car on a lift and jacked up the rear just until I barely saw the back start to lift. So my car was parallel the whole time.
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 01:55 PM
  #16  
Turnin20s's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,467
Likes: 0
Default

Wow I thought I understood this thing LOL, but I guess that I was wrong. I need to set my pinion angle, but my head gaskets blew out before I could really do anything else. But lets see if I got this or I'm completely off...

(This is just an example, I don't have my measurements, and I'll be using an angle finder like the one on the BMR clip) And for exapmle I'm laying on the ground under the passengers side of the car looking at the driveshaft..

Lets say that my driveshaft is tilting down towards the rear of the car at 5* and my rear where the TA bolts to the axle is at 2* pointing the pinion towards the bottom of the car, not the ground. I would have a 3* angle correct
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 02:20 PM
  #17  
vjo90rs8's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 982
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Default

Originally Posted by Turnin20s
Wow I thought I understood this thing LOL, but I guess that I was wrong. I need to set my pinion angle, but my head gaskets blew out before I could really do anything else. But lets see if I got this or I'm completely off...

(This is just an example, I don't have my measurements, and I'll be using an angle finder like the one on the BMR clip) And for exapmle I'm laying on the ground under the passengers side of the car looking at the driveshaft..

Lets say that my driveshaft is tilting down towards the rear of the car at 5* and my rear where the TA bolts to the axle is at 2* pointing the pinion towards the bottom of the car, not the ground. I would have a 3* angle correct

That would be a pinion angle of -7*

Last edited by vjo90rs8; Sep 1, 2008 at 11:57 AM.
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 10:27 PM
  #18  
INMY01TA's Avatar
11 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 2
From: Crofton Md.
Default

Originally Posted by Turnin20s
Lets say that my driveshaft is tilting down towards the rear of the car at 5* and my rear where the TA bolts to the axle is at 2* pointing the pinion towards the bottom of the car, not the ground. I would have a 3* angle correct
The pinion angle is -3 as it's 3 degrees less than the driveshaft angle.
Reply
Old May 29, 2008 | 12:34 AM
  #19  
Ilikeppie's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
Default

alright so i am doing the same job my drive shaft is at a positive 4 and my pinion is at 0 so what is my pinion angle
Reply
Old May 29, 2008 | 12:37 AM
  #20  
INMY01TA's Avatar
11 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 2
From: Crofton Md.
Default

Originally Posted by Ilikeppie
alright so i am doing the same job my drive shaft is at a positive 4 and my pinion is at 0 so what is my pinion angle
-4...
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:50 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE