RE: Drive Shaft Alignment

[caseydogsdad]

Had previously posted a question about the drive shaft alingment on my 2003 Vacationer. Had requested info from Workhorse, and finally got a reply.

Notice that NOBODY said this??

Here it is.

Our Solution :
Thank you for using our system.
This is correct positioning. This positioning protects the 'U' joint. This keeps the bearing from riding in the same place. If it was in a stationery position, it would get hot and burn up the bearings.

Sincerely, (no name attached)

[caseydogsdad]

Had previously posted a question about the drive shaft alingment on my 2003 Vacationer. Had requested info from Workhorse, and finally got a reply.

Notice that NOBODY said this??

Here it is.

Our Solution :
Thank you for using our system.
This is correct positioning. This positioning protects the 'U' joint. This keeps the bearing from riding in the same place. If it was in a stationery position, it would get hot and burn up the bearings.

Sincerely, (no name attached)

[rgrstndgby]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Had previously posted a question about the drive shaft alingment on my 2003 Vacationer. Had requested info from Workhorse, and finally got a reply.

Notice that NOBODY said this?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>



Guess I didn't understand it was a test...rgr...

[Trek-Cyclist]

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by caseydogsdad:
Had previously posted a question about the drive shaft alingment on my 2003 Vacationer. Had requested info from Workhorse, and finally got a reply.

Notice that NOBODY said this??

Here it is.

Our Solution :
Thank you for using our system.
This is correct positioning. This positioning protects the 'U' joint. This keeps the bearing from riding in the same place. If it was in a stationery position, it would get hot and burn up the bearings.

Sincerely, (no name attached) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry but that answer does not make sense if you are talking about a radical z type misalignment about 1.5" offset side to side. Misalignment and added movement have always caused heat and wear.

On my snow plows and construction vehicles in the past, those with the straightest drive lines with the mildest angles had the least problems with heat and those with the most severe had the most problems. On 4X4s with separate transfer cases and auxiliary trannies the u-joints/bearings that lasted forever were on the straight shaft runs from the main tranny to the transfer case with no angles whatsoever.

The implication that the drive train components are not mounted in stationary locations is a bit odd too. Are they saying that there are carriers and mounts that shift about side to side to change the points of wear as you are driving?

Nobody would have said anything like that as it seems to fly in the face of standard practice.

Maybe they did not fully understand your question and thought you were talking about the purpose of the sliding splined shafts or the vertical angles of the driveline.

Maybe I am thinking of a different problem and not yours.

[dieselclacker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by caseydogsdad:
Had previously posted a question about the drive shaft alingment on my 2003 Vacationer. Had requested info from Workhorse, and finally got a reply.

Notice that NOBODY said this??

Here it is.

Our Solution :
Thank you for using our system.
This is correct positioning. This positioning protects the 'U' joint. This keeps the bearing from riding in the same place. If it was in a stationery position, it would get hot and burn up the bearings.

Sincerely, (no name attached) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

caseydogsdad: What kind of answer is that? You been drinking, or do you just think all the members of this forum are fools?

Dieselclacker

[Horsepowerfan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rgrstndgby:
Guess I didn't understand it was a test...rgr... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Neither did I. Did we fail?

Maybe caseydogsdad meant it as a compliment to the forum members who replied when he wrote that NOBODY said what Workhorse did.

WH's reply does sound a bit far-fetched, but I think it's just not well explained and there is some validity to it. (Except for the part about the bearings getting hot and burning up.)

I think what they are trying to say is that the driveshafts should not be in a perfectly straight line so as to keep the u-joints' bearing cups moving. As a u-joint operates, the bearing cups move slightly back and forth on the "X" or trunnion. This keeps the needle bearings working and the lubricant distibuted inside each cup.

It is recommended (by GM anyway) that a U-joint NOT be in a perfectly straight line with it's respective shafts and that there should be some angle. This is referred to as the U-joint's "Working Angle". There are spec's. for this depending on the application and measurements can be made to verify if the angles are too much OR too little.

GM Service Information indicates the following...

"¢ No U-joint working angle should be equal to zero. An angle of 0 degrees will cause premature U-joint wear due to a lack of rotation of the needle bearings in the U-joint.

"¢ No U-joint working angle should exceed 4 degrees.

And for a driveshaft that has a front and rear joint, the difference between the two U-joints' working angles should be between .25 and 1.0 degrees.

These angles are very slight, but are important for U-joint longevity and prevention of vibration. Don't forget to grease 'em too.

[dieselclacker]

Jim, thanks for posting a good understandable explanation of driveshaft and universal joint angles.

Dieselclacker

[DriVer]

We have the very best and most talented members on the Internet right here that know the chassis and its nuances quite well.