[boostkingMatt]

Ok guys, got a question. I serviced my transfer case today, and I got to looking around under there and found that the driveshaft rubs on the frame rail when I launch. That’s the noise I’ve been hearing.
watched a video about pinion angle and a negative angle is good from what I saw.

Down is negative angle, up is positive angle.

If you measure your driveshaft angle (mine is -3 degrees) then measure your diff angle, mine was 3 degrees. Then add the two measurements together and that’s your pinion angle.

Technically you want a -2 to -3 pinion angle, that way when force is applied it goes flat instead of going up which would be bad and damaging.

Does anyone know what OEM pinion angle is?

 

[FanaticalKilla]

Your not really worried about pinion angle, more about u joint operating angle. You want that to be 0.5 to 3.5 degrees. Do you have your axle blocks removed? You might need a set of traction bars or anti axle wrap bar ( name is not coming to me right now)

 

[boostkingMatt]

Your not really worried about pinion angle, more about u joint operating angle. You want that to be 0.5 to 3.5 degrees. Do you have your axle blocks removed? You might need a set of traction bars or anti axle wrap bar ( name is not coming to me right now)

How do I measure the joint operating angle? Yeah I need traction bars. Next mod that I will purchase.

 

[butthead]

Lots of videos and direction online. Tool needed is a simple angle gauge costing about $10-$20. Far as I understand you match the down angle of the transmission to the up angle of the pinion trying to stay less than 3-4 degrees max.
You are replacing the drive shaft? I'm not sure how bad the scoring is but that is certainly a weak spot now.

I'm 40 years out of date on traction bars, used J-bolt bars when I raced my Z28 which had a very similar live axle suspension multi leaf spring asymmetric shock placement. The did the trick and provided a good amount of adjustability. More recent and F150 specific Casey and Kelly at what was BCB used RAS bars and liked them a bunch. KM

 

[Dghal]

Is suspension stock.
Or did it get lowered, I have heard these aluminum driveshafts are fragile, And as posted that scraping has now created a definate weak spot.

 

[FanaticalKilla]

How do I measure the joint operating angle? Yeah I need traction bars. Next mod that I will purchase.

Check out post #8 in this thread. Way easier then me trying to explain. Make sure your using something guaranteed flat when measuring of the cross bearing.
Link Removed

 

[boostkingMatt]

Is suspension stock.
Or did it get lowered, I have heard these aluminum driveshafts are fragile, And as posted that scraping has now created a definate weak spot.

It’s stock except the rear blocks have been removed.

 

[boostkingMatt]

Lots of videos and direction online. Tool needed is a simple angle gauge costing about $10-$20. Far as I understand you match the down angle of the transmission to the up angle of the pinion trying to stay less than 3-4 degrees max.
You are replacing the drive shaft? I'm not sure how bad the scoring is but that is certainly a weak spot now.

I'm 40 years out of date on traction bars, used J-bolt bars when I raced my Z28 which had a very similar live axle suspension multi leaf spring asymmetric shock placement. The did the trick and provided a good amount of adjustability. More recent and F150 specific Casey and Kelly at what was BCB used RAS bars and liked them a bunch. KM

Is the driveshaft seriously just gonna crack in half now?

 

[boostkingMatt]

I can’t seem to find a driveshaft on fairway ford parts that fits the description of my truck. Can I use one for the 5.0?
They don’t show any for a 2.7L 145” wheel base, 4x4 with 8.8 diff

 

[snakebitten]

Is the driveshaft seriously just gonna crack in half now?

When Ford issued a recall/TSB regarding the insulation mat coming loose under some trucks and rubbing against the driveshaft, most fellas thought Ford was overreacting when they grounded the truck for weeks while waiting for a new driveshaft.
They instructed dealerships to do so if the insulation had worn a shiny spot.

But then a couple of fellas reported failed driveshafts and we got to see just how thin that shell actually is, and Ford's approach started to make more sense

I'm not suggesting that your driveshaft is the same design and/or makeup of the ones pictured above for Gen14 F150.

But I DO believe that driveshafts can be taken for granted by the average consumer and their naked eye. I think they are one of those components that less than 99.9% integrity calls for replacement?

 

[boostkingMatt]

When Ford issued a recall/TSB regarding the insulation mat coming loose under some trucks and rubbing against the driveshaft, most fellas thought Ford was overreacting when they grounded the truck for weeks while waiting for a new driveshaft.
They instructed dealerships to do so if the insulation had worn a shiny spot.

View attachment 186426

But then a couple of fellas reported failed driveshafts and we got to see just how thin that shell actually is, and Ford's approach started to make more sense

View attachment 186427

View attachment 186428

I'm not suggesting that your driveshaft is the same design and/or makeup of the ones pictured above for Gen14 F150.

But I DO believe that driveshafts can be taken for granted by the average consumer and their naked eye. I think they are one of those components that less than 99.9% integrity calls for replacement?

Oh geez. I’m probably seconds away from breaking mine in half. It’s worn through a good bit. I’ll be grabbing one asap. Until then I will not be flooring it.

 

[EcoXLT]

This sticker is on my driveshaft.

 

[Scott91370]

I wouldn't be driving it with those wear marks. If it were a steel one, yes. Aluminum, heck no!

 

[Boatwaco]

I added a poll to this thread - very interesting to me to see the fragile nature of the drive shafts we have.

 

[GearHead_1]

Time to pull the trigger on a coveted carbon fiber shaft. For those pushing the edge.

 

[boostkingMatt]

I wouldn't be driving it with those wear marks. If it were a steel one, yes. Aluminum, heck no!

It’s amazing I haven’t broken it yet. I’m glad I found those wear marks.
I need to go get a new one, like maybe today!

 

[Boatwaco]

Here is the Driveshaft Chapter from my 2015-2017 F150 Workshop manual.

 

[Upshifter]

The engineering material choices amaze me.
Plastic coolant units on the exhaust...
Paper thin aluminum driveshafts...
Cam phasers made of Twinkies...

I'm filling my driveshaft with concrete ASAP just to be on the safe side.

 

[butthead]

"Is the driveshaft seriously just gonna crack in half now? "

No intention on scaring ya. But any scoring has the potential to be a weak point. Something to consider maybe have it checked by a driveline specialist. I have lots of experiance with smaller aluminum shafts building arrows and latter tent poles, scoring is a simple way to cut/snap the tube.
Also have seen first hand the results of a snapped driveshaft at races, not pretty. And most of those were steel! KM

 

[smitty6153]

What's inside these things, foam batting? That's what it looks like.

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