Pinion Angle and Shock Changes

[Robert Rennick]

I have recently gone to considerable time and expense getting my pinion angle properly set up. Question: I have air shocks in the rear (Don't ask), if I change to conventional shocks, and the ride height is altered one way or the other, does this mean I have to get my pinion angle adjusted.

Probably a better question would be, could the pinion angle get thrown out of wack by raising or lowering ride height with the current shocks or by installing new ones. Isn't pinion angle immune to such changes?

I appreciate the help.

RHR

[redbuick]

Yes, ride height affects pinion angle.

[Jim Weise]

Robert,

To understand the dynamic here, remember that the engine/trans heights are controlled by the body, and that the rear end height in relation to that point is controled at rest by, and will vary with different springs rear springs, or in the case of air shocks, whatever else your using to hold the weight of the rear of the car up.

And distance change in ride height or the relative height of the frame vs the axle centerline at ride height, will in fact alter pinion angle to some extent.

Changing the rear ride height of the car will have the greatest effect, but any change in the front ride height will also change the realtive angle of the driveshaft to the pinion yoke.

Now here is the easy answer.. if the car's front and rear ride height are the same as with the air shocks, then no, nothing will need to be adjusted.

JW