Transmission alignment??

[AA-ron]

Here comes a proverbial newbie question...
Is there anything I need to do regarding transmission alignment? I have a T-5 mated to an IRS. Right now, it's just bolted together and everything seems to spin smoothly. However, as there is adjustment available on the transmission mount, should I be making use of that? Is there some sort of straight center line I should be referencing regarding the driveshaft?
Thanks

[GoDadGo]

Check your manual's recommendation to verify the proper settings.

In the meantime, watch the attached video:

https://youtu.be/Idk3BVDVHq4

Hope This Helps!

[AA-ron]

Cool video. And yep, that's why I'm concerned about the alignment. I can't seem to find any reference in the manual on how to actually perform the alignment?? Maybe I'm not seeing it. Any insight would be a huge help. I know I need to get it all as perfectly aligned as possible, I'm just looking for some techniques to get me there.
Thanks!

[JeffP]

There is a pretty good write up on pinion angle and even a tool to help calculate it. I used this article as a reference when I got to that point.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?22594-Driveline-Setup-(aka-Pinion-Angle)

[rich grsc]

You have an IRS, so no real way to change pinion angle and no need as it it set by the design of the frame. Also the drive shaft angles don't change on an IRS car as the differential is fixed in place. Install it and you're fine. You can ignore the video, the angles don't change, it isn't relative.:rolleyes:

[GoDadGo]

Sorry Rich, but I disagree.

Be warned because if your driveshaft is Not In Phase you will get Unwanted Vibrations.

The angle of the dangle is still important because tilting the engine up or down compared to the differential angle will impact the driveshaft angle which in turn will impact U-Joint Phasing.

I'm sure many IRS cars get installed with no issues; however, the drive shaft angle is important.

[CraigS]

I partly disagree Rich. As you say, the angles can't really be changed much. But the trans mount can be shimmed and it is quite common to need to do that. W/ the super short drive shaft length, I like to get the trans output height pretty close to the diff pinion height.

[Ted G]

You have an IRS, so no real way to change pinion angle and no need as it it set by the design of the frame. Also the drive shaft angles don't change on an IRS car as the differential is fixed in place. Install it and you're fine. You can ignore the video, the angles don't change, it isn't relative.:rolleyes:

Wouldn't the raising (or lowering) of the transmission mount change the pinion angle?

[rich grsc]

No moving the tranny doesn't change the pinion angle, it can't, that is fixed by the differential frame mounts. Moving the tranny only moves one end of the driveshaft. It's true the tranny should be adjusted for height, but it isn't near as critical as on a car with a full axle.
GoDadGo, go back and watch that again, being out of phase is when the output shaft angle and the input shaft angle are not parallel. The driveshaft is able to run just fine at an angle as long at input and output shafts are parallel. Spent over 50yrs around PTO shafts and u-joint while farming. They have u-joints on equipment just so you can have different heights on the input and output. I know when you have a lot of difference between those two, you are going to have a lot of vibration, or even a busted joint

[JohnK]

Rich, I think you're defining pinion angle as being relative to the ground or the 4" tubes and you're right that with an IRS this cannot be changed. However, pinion angle in the context most commonly discussed in setting up drivelines is the angle of the IRS relative to the driveshaft, and that does most definitely change by shimming the transmission and is critical to set up. The better term would be driveline angle but I see them used interchangeably (right or wrong). I would not trust that I could just install the engine and that angle is "good enough."

[GoDadGo]

Rich,

If you move the transmission up or down without moving the engine up the same distance, you change the drive shaft angle.
In addition, if the engine is off centerline compared to the differential, the U-Joint phasing is also out of whack.
Sorry, but in these scenarios you are not correct.

Steve

[rich grsc]

John, I'm using pinion angle as it is meant. It is the angle of the rear end pinion in the differential, and I don't care how it relates to the ground, thats not important. In an IRS car it is fixed by its mounts in the frame, whether that is parallel to the ground or up 10* or down 10*. The tranny output shaft should be close to being parallel to the pinion shaft. The driveshaft doesn't have to be straight
Anyway, mine is set up, with zero issues. You guys set them up to make you happy. This subject always get turned sideways, mostly over semantics and misunderstanding of terms. I've had plenty of hands on experience, not just a YouTube certificate, and I have some of those too

[JohnK]

OK, well I thought we could have an intelligent discussion but I guess we've just jumped straight the hurt feeling part of the program.

[rich grsc]

Rich,

If you move the transmission up or down without moving the engine up the same distance, you change the drive shaft angle.
In addition, if the engine is off centerline compared to the differential, the U-Joint phasing is also out of whack.
Sorry, but in these scenarios you are not correct.


Steve
Steve maybe you should actually read what I said, "being out of phase is when the output shaft angle and the input shaft angle are not parallel." You can run a drive shaft at an angle

[rich grsc]

OK, well I thought we could have an intelligent discussion but I guess we've just jumped straight the hurt feeling part of the program.
What up with you? My feelings aren't hurt. Just don't seem be able to explain it any better, and I don't want an argument or disagreement, I'm fine if someone else explains it better.

[frankeeski]

Steve maybe you should actually read what I said, "being out of phase is when the output shaft angle and the input shaft angle are not parallel." You can run a drive shaft at an angle

Rich, notice how everyone is ignoring the FACT that the driveline is purposefully farther to the passenger side (at the tailshaft) to allow the needle bearings to work properly? It's a T5 transmission in this case. Something probably none of these guys have dealt with. No spacers are required for the average T5 install, IRS or solid axle. So lets address the tailshaft offset that is probably the root of the question by the OP.