Pinion angle when lowering the rear - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**leddzepp** · 12-18-2008, 06:40 PM

I am going to lower the rear of my truck with 4" coil springs. I have 2" lowering blocks now, which I am going to remove, so I will have 4" lowered total with the springs. Will I need to correct my pinion angle with degree wedges? I used to lift Jeep CJ's a long time ago, and had to use wedges to correct the pinion angle. Thanks for your help.

my67chevytruck · 12-18-2008, 06:48 PM

I asked ECE this question when i ordered our drop kit from them (4" rear drop springs) and they stated we would not need to make any adjustments. I would like to know as well. we may go with a 1" or 2" blocks later down the road

**leddzepp** · 12-18-2008, 07:24 PM

Thanks for your input. I may end up putting the blocks back in if it is not lowered enough for me. I wonder if lowering it in the front compensates for having to shim the rear pinion?

Mixup · 12-18-2008, 07:54 PM

I have 4" springs and 1" blocks and the angle is ok.

LuckyHenriksen · 12-18-2008, 09:03 PM

I have 4 inch springs and am in the process of building 2 inch blocks, I hope it doesn't need adjustment.

**leddzepp** · 12-18-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyHenriksen

I have 4 inch springs and am in the process of building 2 inch blocks, I hope it doesn't need adjustment.

Does it do OK with the 4" springs? I assume you do not have degree shims?

LuckyHenriksen · 12-18-2008, 09:27 PM

ya it does fine. I dont have any shims, the rest is stock

**leddzepp** · 12-18-2008, 09:30 PM

Cool...how much are you lowered in the front? I am thinking if I lower it proportionately, it will help keep the pinion angle consistent.

LuckyHenriksen · 12-18-2008, 09:54 PM

I have 2.5 spindles and 1 inch springs. I am thinking of hacking half a coil out to go with the blocks, making it a 4/6

**leddzepp** · 12-18-2008, 10:02 PM

I have 2.5 spindles in the front, and am wanting to go with 1" springs to lower it just a little more. I was very pleased with the spindles when I put them in last year. I currently have 2" blocks in the rear with stock springs.

LuckyHenriksen · 12-18-2008, 10:06 PM

I would sell you my front springs (they are brand new) but I cant afford to buy another set, so I have to do with cutting them

**leddzepp** · 12-18-2008, 10:10 PM

No problem Lucky...I will keep lookin! How is your ride with the 1" drop springs in the front? Do you bottom out at all? I love the spindles because it did not affect my ride quality at all. How about alignment? Did the shop have any trouble aligning it with the lowering springs?

larry may · 12-18-2008, 10:18 PM

Not sure may be this would help a little bit
http://www.carcraft.com/howto/91758/index.html

LuckyHenriksen · 12-18-2008, 10:19 PM

It rides really nice, surprisingly smooth for an old truck. I havent had any problem bottoming out, scraped a header collector on a speed bump at school though.... that was my own fault for driving too fast. I had no problem getting it aligned, the guys at Les Schwab was very helpful and didn't have any trouble getting it on the rack or anything.

myoldchevytruck · 12-18-2008, 10:20 PM

leddzepp, I have 6 inch rear coils (no c-notch...yet) and my pinion angle is fine. I too, called ECE about this and here's what they told me.

1"-2" use the stock track bar
3"-4" use an adjustable panhard bar
5"-6" us the super track bar

This will keep your pinion angle geometrically correct

LuckyHenriksen · 12-18-2008, 10:21 PM

great link larry

LuckyHenriksen · 12-18-2008, 10:23 PM

I have 4 inch springs and will be adding 2 inch blocks, does this count as a 6 inch drop? I don't want to have to buy a super track bar.

**leddzepp** · 12-18-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myoldchevytruck

leddzepp, I have 6 inch rear coils (no c-notch...yet) and my pinion angle is fine. I too, called ECE about this and here's what they told me.

1"-2" use the stock track bar
3"-4" use an adjustable panhard bar
5"-6" us the super track bar

This will keep your pinion angle geometrically correct

Thanks for your input Harry. I do not understand how the track bar affects pinion angle though? I know it is there to keep the rear end from going side-to-side...

SCOTI · 12-18-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Thanks for your input Harry. I do not understand how the track bar affects pinion angle though? I know it is there to keep the rear end from going side-to-side...

The track bar (Panhard bar) doesn't impact the pinion angle.

ECE states minimal pinion change w/up to 6" spring drops. Any more than that, you'll want to combine springs & blocks for sure.

chevychase · 12-19-2008, 12:37 AM

Not to hijack, but how about the pinion angle with bags and just a c-notch?

dznucks · 10-02-2009, 10:42 AM

Bump.

71tahoe · 10-02-2009, 02:02 PM

It's my understanding that pinion angle is in relation to the crankshaft/transmission shaft centerline. When you use parallel blocks the angle of the rear diff doesn't change. Shorter springs cause the trailing arms to rotate changing the angle. What's too much, I don't know.

Bags should be evaluated at desired ride height. If it's 6" then according to ECE you're OK. If you want 8" then add 2" blocks.

Alex Hayley · 10-02-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Will I need to correct my pinion angle with degree wedges?

I did not read every response. I spoke with ECE before putting a 4" drop in and was told that the pinion angle will be better with the 4" drop.

**leddzepp** · 10-03-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Hayley

I did not read every response. I spoke with ECE before putting a 4" drop in and was told that the pinion angle will be better with the 4" drop.

Did you look at the date I posted this question?

Good info here.

Alex Hayley · 10-03-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Did you look at the date I posted this question?

Good info here.

Apparently I did not read that either.

12-18-2008, 06:40 PM	#1
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,018	Pinion angle when lowering the rear I am going to lower the rear of my truck with 4" coil springs. I have 2" lowering blocks now, which I am going to remove, so I will have 4" lowered total with the springs. Will I need to correct my pinion angle with degree wedges? I used to lift Jeep CJ's a long time ago, and had to use wedges to correct the pinion angle. Thanks for your help.

12-18-2008, 06:48 PM	#2
my67chevytruck Under Construction Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Midlothian,TX (DFW) Posts: 4,555	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear I asked ECE this question when i ordered our drop kit from them (4" rear drop springs) and they stated we would not need to make any adjustments. I would like to know as well. we may go with a 1" or 2" blocks later down the road __________________ Heath subscribe to the board here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669 FAQ how to's 1956 Chevy Apache 1967 C10 SWB FleetSide (under construction) 1969 K10 SWB FleetSide (Future Build) 1972 C10 SWB Stepside (Future Build) 56 chevy truck : http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2955823/1 67 truck build: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=281357/1 69 k10: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=389470

12-18-2008, 07:24 PM	#3
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,018	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear Thanks for your input. I may end up putting the blocks back in if it is not lowered enough for me. I wonder if lowering it in the front compensates for having to shim the rear pinion?

12-18-2008, 07:54 PM	#4
Mixup Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 358	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear I have 4" springs and 1" blocks and the angle is ok. __________________ 1980 Chevy Shortbed Pickup 1969 Z28 engine Turbo 350

12-18-2008, 09:03 PM	#5
LuckyHenriksen Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sherwood Oregon Posts: 1,908	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear I have 4 inch springs and am in the process of building 2 inch blocks, I hope it doesn't need adjustment. __________________ 1968 Yenko Chevy LWB 6.0L/TH400 3/4 Drop Senior Project Build Thread Here

12-18-2008, 09:27 PM	#7
LuckyHenriksen Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sherwood Oregon Posts: 1,908	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear ya it does fine. I dont have any shims, the rest is stock __________________ 1968 Yenko Chevy LWB 6.0L/TH400 3/4 Drop Senior Project Build Thread Here

12-18-2008, 09:30 PM	#8
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,018	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear Cool...how much are you lowered in the front? I am thinking if I lower it proportionately, it will help keep the pinion angle consistent.

12-18-2008, 09:54 PM	#9
LuckyHenriksen Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sherwood Oregon Posts: 1,908	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear I have 2.5 spindles and 1 inch springs. I am thinking of hacking half a coil out to go with the blocks, making it a 4/6 __________________ 1968 Yenko Chevy LWB 6.0L/TH400 3/4 Drop Senior Project Build Thread Here

12-18-2008, 10:02 PM	#10
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,018	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear I have 2.5 spindles in the front, and am wanting to go with 1" springs to lower it just a little more. I was very pleased with the spindles when I put them in last year. I currently have 2" blocks in the rear with stock springs.

12-18-2008, 10:06 PM	#11
LuckyHenriksen Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sherwood Oregon Posts: 1,908	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear I would sell you my front springs (they are brand new) but I cant afford to buy another set, so I have to do with cutting them __________________ 1968 Yenko Chevy LWB 6.0L/TH400 3/4 Drop Senior Project Build Thread Here

12-18-2008, 10:10 PM	#12
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,018	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear No problem Lucky...I will keep lookin! How is your ride with the 1" drop springs in the front? Do you bottom out at all? I love the spindles because it did not affect my ride quality at all. How about alignment? Did the shop have any trouble aligning it with the lowering springs?

12-18-2008, 10:18 PM	#13
larry may Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: MISSOURI Posts: 3,256	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear Not sure may be this would help a little bit http://www.carcraft.com/howto/91758/index.html __________________ The biggest problem people have, is other people Thou shalt be cool and not hassle Be a site supporter. The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool inclines to the left." Ecclesiastes 10:2

12-18-2008, 10:19 PM	#14
LuckyHenriksen Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sherwood Oregon Posts: 1,908	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear It rides really nice, surprisingly smooth for an old truck. I havent had any problem bottoming out, scraped a header collector on a speed bump at school though.... that was my own fault for driving too fast. I had no problem getting it aligned, the guys at Les Schwab was very helpful and didn't have any trouble getting it on the rack or anything. __________________ 1968 Yenko Chevy LWB 6.0L/TH400 3/4 Drop Senior Project Build Thread Here

12-18-2008, 10:20 PM	#15
myoldchevytruck Retired Air Force Veteran Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024 Posts: 1,808	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear leddzepp, I have 6 inch rear coils (no c-notch...yet) and my pinion angle is fine. I too, called ECE about this and here's what they told me. 1"-2" use the stock track bar 3"-4" use an adjustable panhard bar 5"-6" us the super track bar This will keep your pinion angle geometrically correct __________________ Harry 69' SWB Step Side 1/2 Ton w/68' Front Clip Swap from Leafs to Trailing Arms (Complete) Swap 6 Lug to 5 Lug (w/ Disk Brakes in Front) 3/6 Drop Help Support The Board Click Here For Information On How To Subscribe Krue's FAQ Page Vendors

12-18-2008, 10:21 PM	#16
LuckyHenriksen Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sherwood Oregon Posts: 1,908	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear great link larry __________________ 1968 Yenko Chevy LWB 6.0L/TH400 3/4 Drop Senior Project Build Thread Here



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12-18-2008, 10:23 PM	#17
LuckyHenriksen Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sherwood Oregon Posts: 1,908	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear I have 4 inch springs and will be adding 2 inch blocks, does this count as a 6 inch drop? I don't want to have to buy a super track bar. __________________ 1968 Yenko Chevy LWB 6.0L/TH400 3/4 Drop Senior Project Build Thread Here

12-19-2008, 12:37 AM	#20
chevychase Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 476	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear Not to hijack, but how about the pinion angle with bags and just a c-notch?

10-02-2009, 10:42 AM	#21
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear Bump.

10-02-2009, 02:02 PM	#22
71tahoe Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 916	Re: Pinion angle when lowering the rear It's my understanding that pinion angle is in relation to the crankshaft/transmission shaft centerline. When you use parallel blocks the angle of the rear diff doesn't change. Shorter springs cause the trailing arms to rotate changing the angle. What's too much, I don't know. Bags should be evaluated at desired ride height. If it's 6" then according to ECE you're OK. If you want 8" then add 2" blocks.

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