Degree Wedges - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PR454SS · 09-13-2003, 02:10 PM

I have 3/5 drop on my 72, does anyone have this drop and if so what degree wedges did you install on the rear to reduce driveshaft vibration, 2 degree or 4 degree
Thanks a bunch

sactoC10 · 09-19-2003, 03:17 PM

Not much action on this post. I am sorta wondering the same thing and I don't have the nice little gauge that the shops use to determine the amount. What I do know is that I needed shims in my daily driver and I wanted the smallest shim necessary. I originally ordered some 2 degree shims, then when I saw how little 2 degrees actually is, I went with the four and it worked out well.

Shop around, shims can be found VERY cheap. What I was told by a local truck shop was that the axle needs to remain within 3 +/- degrees in order to not vibrate.

Maybe something here will help.

70 Jimmy · 09-20-2003, 05:47 PM

You just need to make sure that the pinion angle is parallel to the tail shaft. Not much help, I know, but someone's gotta help alittle

phantom dually · 09-21-2003, 01:09 PM

The drive shaft has to have what is called a preload on it. With your truck set at ride height the pinion yoke on the rear should be set at 3to4 degree negative or positive. The tailshaft of your trans should be the opposite. This keeps you from tearing u joints out due to torque. If you had them both set at 0 degree you will rip drive shafts out all the time

loweredd · 09-21-2003, 02:47 PM

Bell-Tech has them from 1-6*, they are about 20 a set.

Truckhead · 09-21-2003, 08:58 PM

With your trans and rear set on level or parallel, that will be 0 degrees. To set the proper negative degree pinion angle setting, the yoke on the rear should angle 2-4 degrees down for the proper setting. So the front of the rearend (yoke) will angle down slightly. As horsepower increases the more pinion angle it will need. I read an article in CarCraft a few years ago detailing pinion angle setups.

sactoC10 · 09-21-2003, 11:29 PM

Is it just me, or wouldn't it be difficult to install average pinion shims on 67-72 trucks due to the design of U-bolts?

68LSS1 · 09-22-2003, 03:32 PM

You can't just arbitrarily put rear pinion at a certain angle without knowing the front (trans angle). With a trailing arm suspension the pinion will move up on acceleration as opposed to down like a leaf spring. Ideally is no more than 3 degrees but no 0 either. Unless your going to the track then shoot for 0 under load.

PR454SS · 09-27-2003, 10:12 AM

Hey! Thanks for the responses, I've got something to go on now.
Sorry for the slow reply on my part, been on Honeymoon in Jamaica. Thanks again for the help.
PR

70 Jimmy · 09-27-2003, 12:25 PM

I stand corrected. I was always told the you didn't want any angle. It makes sense to put some load on it otherwise you would go from no load to full load in an instant when you hit the gas. Thanks for the information. I r smartt now

short step · 10-03-2003, 07:30 AM

do u have a ph# for bel tech?

loweredd · 10-03-2003, 11:47 AM

800-445-3767

09-13-2003, 02:10 PM	#1
PR454SS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 338	Degree Wedges I have 3/5 drop on my 72, does anyone have this drop and if so what degree wedges did you install on the rear to reduce driveshaft vibration, 2 degree or 4 degree Thanks a bunch __________________ PR Too many projects, not enough time! 72SWB 350/350TH, 3500stall,525 lift cam 3:73 posi. Sold! 69LWB Flatbed 350/Super T-10, ported/polished 481 heads, 480 lift cam. 78SWB 468/400TH, ported/polished Alum. heads, 3:42 posi, 3000 stall on 17x8 and 18x9.5's 77 Jeep CJ-5 304V8 fiberglass body on 36" Ground Hawgs

09-20-2003, 05:47 PM	#3
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	You just need to make sure that the pinion angle is parallel to the tail shaft. Not much help, I know, but someone's gotta help alittle __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

09-21-2003, 01:09 PM	#4
phantom dually Project92 SWB stepside Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 4,793	The drive shaft has to have what is called a preload on it. With your truck set at ride height the pinion yoke on the rear should be set at 3to4 degree negative or positive. The tailshaft of your trans should be the opposite. This keeps you from tearing u joints out due to torque. If you had them both set at 0 degree you will rip drive shafts out all the time __________________ 92 C1500 stepside 496 Stroker Competiton Engineering Ladder bars/QA1 coilovers. Dana 60 rear with 4.10 gear and posi. Bonspeed Palisade 20x12 in rear w/335/30/20 and 20x8.5 front w/245/40/20. 5/8 drop with Belltech springs/DJM spindles/drop shocks. WWS Progress thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=140448

09-22-2003, 03:32 PM	#8
68LSS1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,191	You can't just arbitrarily put rear pinion at a certain angle without knowing the front (trans angle). With a trailing arm suspension the pinion will move up on acceleration as opposed to down like a leaf spring. Ideally is no more than 3 degrees but no 0 either. Unless your going to the track then shoot for 0 under load. __________________ '68 Short Step LS1/T56, Hydratech, Fatman Fabrications Stage III, Baer, Hot Rods to Hell, US Body, S&W, etc

09-27-2003, 10:12 AM	#9
PR454SS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 338	Hey! Thanks for the responses, I've got something to go on now. Sorry for the slow reply on my part, been on Honeymoon in Jamaica. Thanks again for the help. PR __________________ PR Too many projects, not enough time! 72SWB 350/350TH, 3500stall,525 lift cam 3:73 posi. Sold! 69LWB Flatbed 350/Super T-10, ported/polished 481 heads, 480 lift cam. 78SWB 468/400TH, ported/polished Alum. heads, 3:42 posi, 3000 stall on 17x8 and 18x9.5's 77 Jeep CJ-5 304V8 fiberglass body on 36" Ground Hawgs

09-19-2003, 03:17 PM	#2
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	Not much action on this post. I am sorta wondering the same thing and I don't have the nice little gauge that the shops use to determine the amount. What I do know is that I needed shims in my daily driver and I wanted the smallest shim necessary. I originally ordered some 2 degree shims, then when I saw how little 2 degrees actually is, I went with the four and it worked out well. Shop around, shims can be found VERY cheap. What I was told by a local truck shop was that the axle needs to remain within 3 +/- degrees in order to not vibrate. Maybe something here will help.

09-21-2003, 02:47 PM	#5
loweredd www.loweredd.com Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Struble IA Posts: 808	Bell-Tech has them from 1-6*, they are about 20 a set.

09-21-2003, 08:58 PM	#6
Truckhead 18436572 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Waynesboro, Va. Posts: 488	With your trans and rear set on level or parallel, that will be 0 degrees. To set the proper negative degree pinion angle setting, the yoke on the rear should angle 2-4 degrees down for the proper setting. So the front of the rearend (yoke) will angle down slightly. As horsepower increases the more pinion angle it will need. I read an article in CarCraft a few years ago detailing pinion angle setups.

09-21-2003, 11:29 PM	#7
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	Is it just me, or wouldn't it be difficult to install average pinion shims on 67-72 trucks due to the design of U-bolts?

09-27-2003, 12:25 PM	#10
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	I stand corrected. I was always told the you didn't want any angle. It makes sense to put some load on it otherwise you would go from no load to full load in an instant when you hit the gas. Thanks for the information. I r smartt now __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

10-03-2003, 07:30 AM	#11
short step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ludlow,MA Posts: 145	do u have a ph# for bel tech?

10-03-2003, 11:47 AM	#12
loweredd www.loweredd.com Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Struble IA Posts: 808	800-445-3767



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