Topic: Question on setting pinion angle...

[TahoeYJ]

So as long as Ruff Stuff gets his u-bolts in today, I should be seeing my 9" swap kit from him tomorrow, at the latest Thursday 

I was wondering- Since my wheels won't fit the 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern, does it make any difference whether I set up my pinion angle with the Jeep sitting on jack stands, or is it better to do so when the Jeep is on the ground? I know the leafs will settle a bit on the ground, but I figure I can still set it close enough...

Hope it's not a stupid question... 

[FourbangerYJ]

It's better to do it with the Jeep on it's tires. Oh and get the tranny and T-case in before you set the pinion angle.

[Jeffy]

You should be able to set the pinion with jackstands as long as the stands are supporting the axle so the weight of the Jeep is compressing the springs.  And you'll want to have everything else inline so you can take readings from the transfer case yoke and compare them to the pinion yoke.

[TahoeYJ]

It's better to do it with the Jeep on it's tires. Oh and get the tranny and T-case in before you set the pinion angle.

It'll be in before I set the pinion angle, I've got to be able to hook up my rear DS 

Called a hydraulic shop today about getting the right fitting on the line from the master to the slave cylinder, the guy said to bring them both down and he'll see if he can get the right fitting on for me.

As for resting the axle on jack stands to set the pinion angle, how exactly can I do that? I mean, without the spring perches being on it seems like it will be a bit more difficult. Do I just rest the perches on the leafs, snug everything up to the leafs with the u-bolts and rest it on stands after that?

[Jeffy]

As for resting the axle on jack stands to set the pinion angle, how exactly can I do that? I mean, without the spring perches being on it seems like it will be a bit more difficult. Do I just rest the perches on the leafs, snug everything up to the leafs with the u-bolts and rest it on stands after that?

Tires or no tires you'll still run into the same problem.  You put the perches on.  Tighten the U-bolts so they are snug then cycle the suspension a little so there is no preload.  Set your horizontal then adjust your pinion to -1-2* of prefect so as to account for torque.  Take it apart then set your perches from your measurements and tack.  Put the axle back in and recheck.  If it's good then weld.

[FourbangerYJ]

The way I have done it in the past is to get everything bolted up the way you want it with weight on the springs. Then I tack the perches on, then get the shock mounts where needed, tack them. Then pull everything apart and get the housing out for final weld. Once it's all welded put it all back under.

[Bounty Hunter]

If you're staying SUA, the ubolts will need to be pretty snug once the spring perches are installed on the axle.  Then it doesn't matter if the tires are on or if the axle is sitting on jackstands, either way the weight will be on the springs.  I would tack the perches before pulling the axle back out.

Once the ubolts are snug enough to hold the axle to the springs, it will require a large pipe wrench to rotate the axletubes, or a floorjack under the pinion. 

[Jesse-James]

....put the perches on.  Tighten the U-bolts so they are snug then cycle the suspension a little so there is no preload.  Set your horizontal then adjust your pinion to -1-2* of prefect so as to account for torque.  Take it apart then set your perches from your measurements and tack.  Put the axle back in and recheck.  If it's good then weld.

This is how I did mine. 

[TahoeYJ]

Cool, sounds easy enough! I'll tack 'em on with my dad's 110 mig and then let my buddy do the final welding. I can get my welds to penetrate, but I want them to look good, and I'm still working on that 

It's farking raining today... In California... In June???  And my Heep is outside... Doubt I will be able to do much work today unless the rain settles...