'79 Scout II front pinion angle

[mrscullini]

Installed an rc 4" lift, 5" shackle kit from CPT and 4 degree shims. Running 31" tires. The caster seems to be fine because it goes down the road pretty straight.

However, as I figured and you might imagine, the front pinion angle is pretty steep and the u-joint is close to binding. With the hubs locked and in 2wd, there is a little contact and you hear clicking. In 4wd, it seems to be fine.

Aside from rotating the diff (I know this is the ultimate solution), is there anything I can do in the mean time?

 

[Justutt67]

About the only things you can do is remove the front driveshaft till you have time to do a cut and turn (not hard at all by the way) or get one of those high angle u joints both are just a band aide till you do it right. Keep the shims and use them to rotate the pinion up cut the outer knuckles off and rotate them for proper caster.

 

[mrscullini]

about the only things you can do is remove the front driveshaft till you have time to do a cut and turn (not hard at all by the way) or get one of those high angle u joints both are just a band aide till you do it right. Keep the shims and use them to rotate the pinion up cut the outer knuckles off and rotate them for proper caster.

Thanks for the insight. I didn't think there was much alternative to doing it the right way.

I would have never guessed it relatively simple to cut and turn. Is this something my driveline shop can do with the axle on the vehicle?

 

[Justutt67]

Maybe they could do it in the vehicle but it would be much harder. Also sparks fly everywhere so you would need to protect the vehicle from that somehow. It's relatively easy if you have the means to do such a project such as a welder and the grinding tools. I have cut the outer knuckles off of 2 axles now and by no means consider myself an expert but it took about 20 min per side on the last one to get them off. Takes more time to get them back on and set to proper angles.

 

[Scout-It-Out]

Never heard of a drive line shop doing a cut and turn. I would make sure they've done it before. It's cheaper in the long run to do it right the first time

 

[mrscullini]

maybe they could do it in the vehicle but it would be much harder. Also sparks fly everywhere so you would need to protect the vehicle from that somehow. It's relatively easy if you have the means to do such a project such as a welder and the grinding tools. I have cut the outer knuckles off of 2 axles now and by no means consider myself an expert but it took about 20 min per side on the last one to get them off. Takes more time to get them back on and set to proper angles.

Thanks. Thought it would be tough/impossible with the axle in and it should be yanked. The cutting doesn't seem so tough, getting the angle right seems like the challenge. Further, I've just got a buzz box, this would definitely need a full mig set up to do right.

@Scout-it-out, if it is not a driveline shop, who would you recommend for a cut & turn? You're not too far from me, do you have a shop you have used?

 

[ihpartsjeff]

We knuckle turning here at our shop which isn't not too far from truckee. Best to call our service department for more information and/or pricing. 530-274-1795

 

[mrscullini]

we knuckle turning here at our shop which isn't not too far from truckee. Best to call our service department for more information and/or pricing. 530-274-1795

Sorry Jeff, I should have thought about you in the first place. You're just down the hill.

I bought the suspension from you guys and saw your shop, your old one albeit, I believe.

The cut & turn is a little lower on the to-do list, I'll definitely call the service department when ready.

Thanks.