IK1400005 ­ Driveline Information Center and Troubleshooting Procedures

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Title : Driveline Information Center and Troubleshooting Procedures
Applies To : All Vehicles

Change Log
Dealers: Please refer to the change log text box below for recent changes to this article:
12/14/2015 - Combined multiple articles to troubleshoot and repair drivelines and driveline angles.
11/02/2015 - Inserted info from IK0600006, removed hyperlinks to IK0600006 & IK0300004 (info moved to TSI in 2012), fixed hyperlink to IK0300008, removed
subjective info from step 2
10/16/2015 - Author updated for feedback purposes
11/06/2014 - Updated link to TSI 060301
08/05/2014 - Author updated for feedback purposes

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Description
This article provides information to properly check driveline angles and driveline runout, and how to use that information to properly repair
the vehicle and bring the driveline into specification. The information is to assist in resolving a vibration complaint that may be caused by the
driveline. This article does not address other possible vibration issues, such as vibrations caused by the engine.
• For engine vibrations, cab vibrations, or mirror shake issues please refer to IK0300008 ‐ Vibration Troubleshooting

Symptoms
• Vibration

Inspecting and Measuring the Driveline
Parts Information
Part Number

Description

Qty

Notes

TCMT‐00211 Driveline Angle Analyzer Tool Kit 1 Eaton Roadranger

Troubleshooting
1. Check and record air ride height setting.
◦ If the air ride is not adjusted properly then readjust to the proper specifications and road test to determine if problem has now
been fixed.
◦ Refer to TSI 060301 to properly adjust the ride height.
2. Visually inspect driveline for damage
◦ Inspect for dents or missing weights.
◦ Inspect u‐joints and yokes for excessive play. It is important to do this prior to re‐lubing the joints.
◦ Insure the u‐joint bearing cups are properly seated in the yokes and that the caps are not spinning.

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3. Measure driveshaft runout in three locations on each shaft.
◦ 3” from each end of and center of the tube.
◦ InterAxle shafts can be measured in the center only.
◦ For accurate measurements, the paint should be removed first.
◦ Mark the “high” spots at each location on the tube.
◦ The ends should be less than 0.020”, ideally below 0.010” and the center should be less than 0.025”, ideally below 0.015”.
◦ If the measurements exceed the limits at either end, the u‐joint at the end of the shaft with the high measurement should be
removed from the yoke and reinstalled in the yoke after rotating either the yoke or the shaft 180 degrees.
◦ Remeasure the runouts and note the location of the high spots.
◦ If the runout is still excessive, check to see if the high spot moved on the shaft approximately 180 degrees or if it stayed in the same
spot.
◦ Moving of the high spot indicates the yoke is out of round, not the shaft.
◦ Although you may have a driveline shop rebalance and/or straighten a shaft, if a vibration remains, it is important to again
document the runout and verify it is below the previously mentioned “ideal” limits.
◦ Click here for a printable worksheet.
Figure 1 ‐ Measuring Driveline Runout

4. Inspect the amount of movement in the spline section of the driveshaft
◦ The dial or digital indicator base must be installed on one side of the splines (on the prop shaft), and the needle on the other side of
the splines.
◦ If the dial indicator base is mounted on a solid surface, erroneous measurements will result.
◦ This measurement should read less than 0.015".
5. If the problem still exists then you will need to obtain driveline angle measurements.
◦ Choose the appropriate form for the chassis configuration you are working on.
4x2

6x4

1 Piece Driveline 1 Piece Main Driveline 4x4

4x4 / 6x6

4x2 / 6x4 with Aux Section

2 Piece Driveline with 2 Axles

2 Piece Driveline 2 Piece Main Driveline 4x4 with 2 Piece Rear Driveline 3 Piece Driveline with 2 axles

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3 Piece Driveline 3 Piece Main Driveline 6x6
4 Piece Driveline 4 Piece Main Driveline
Helpful hints for accurate driveline and angle measuring:
• To properly check your digital clinometer, use a two foot level on a workbench; level the level then set protractor on level and press zero,
then turn your protractor around 180 degrees to face away from you and recheck to make sure it still reads zero. The two readings
should be within 0.1 degrees of each other. This is test is performed to check the accuracy of the digital clinometer.
• Once you have tested the accuracy of the tool, place the digital clinometer on the frame rail and zero it. This is done so you always have
the same reference. If you zero the protractor at any other location, you would need to verify the frame angle is the same as the original
recorded angle before any adjustments could be made.
• Take all readings from the same surface of the digital clinometer and keep it pointed in the same direction for every measurement. The
example photos show this clearly. The orientation of the writing (do not turn the tool upside down from when you started), and the same
end of the digital clinometer always facing the front of the vehicle.
• Double check transmission angle measurement which can be obtained from the u‐joint cap on the output yoke, engine valve cover, oil
pan bolts and sometimes a flat surface on the head of the engine as well as transmission pan or valve body.
• Be very diligent to get a good reading off the rear end housing. The surface of the cup needs to be properly cleaned to insure you get an
accurate measurement. Use a socket on the u‐joint cap. The caps will not all be vertical when the unit is pulled into the work bay.
Removing the wheel chocks and rolling the truck forward or backwards until the u‐joint is vertical is the most acceptable method to
obtain an accurate reading.
• Due to the short tube length of drive shafts between the rear drive axles, it is highly recommended to use the v‐block that comes with
the RoadRanger driveline angle analyzer kit to keep the digital clinometer from contacting the welds at the end of the tube.
• Be aware the ARROW in the LCD points towards 0°. The angles in Figure 2 and Figure 3 are positive angles.
◦ Arrow pointing down is a positive angle. (Front side of the component is higher than the rear).
◦ Arrow pointing up is a negative angle. (Front side of the component is lower than the rear).
◦ Example: The transmission will typically have a positive angle.
◦ Example: The prop shaft to the steer axle in a 4x4 will typically have a negative angle.
Figure 2 ‐ Measuring Pinion Angle

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• This is a positive reading. The arrow points towards 0°. This means the front of the component is higher than the rear.
◦ The arrow would point up for a negative reading.
• Use caution with the digital protractor to ensure you do not hit the "Hold" or "Alt Zero" buttons while taking your readings.
• Be diligent to ensure the tool has the same orientation when taking your readings.

Figure 3 ‐ Measuring the Intermediate Shaft

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• This is a positive reading. The arrow points towards 0°. This means the front of the component is higher than the rear.
◦ The arrow would point up for a negative reading.
• Use caution with the digital protractor to ensure you do not hit the "Hold" or "Alt Zero" buttons while taking your readings.
• Be diligent to ensure the tool has the same orientation when taking your readings.

Filling out the Driveline Angle Worksheet
6. Measure the frame rake. To take the measurement of frame rake find a clean flat surface anywhere on frame. Verify level is on and the
arrow on the level labeled facing toward front of vehicle is actually facing toward the front of the vehicle, and the arrow on level labeled
facing toward rear is actually facing toward rear. Once this is verified and you have your frame rake angle hit the zero button on level.
This will allow level to set the frame rake for calculation of drive line measurements.
◦ Zeroing the digital protractor on the frame will allow you to always have the same reference point to zero if multiple measurements
are required. (Even if the truck is moved between each set of measurements).
7. Measure the transmission angle. This will rarely need to be changed, a normal measurement for transmission angle is between 3 and 4
degrees. To take transmission angle you will have to get measurements off transmission or engine block surface and sometimes a boss
on the bell housing. Take multiple measurements to make sure you are getting the correct reading.
8. Measure the first prop shaft. Take measurements in the middle of the prop shaft, taking several measurements at each component to
get as accurate angles as possible. Depending on the model and drive line setup take the remaining drive line angles at each prop shaft
until the differential or the transfer case depending on the setup of the truck. Always remember to keep protractor, or level pointed in
the same direction on each component measured.
9. Measure the transfer case or rear differential find a flat, machined surface on component and take multiple measurements for accurate
reading. If there is no place to take accurate measurement you can turn yoke straight up and down and use level to read the flat of the u‐
joint bearing cup. (Refer to Figure 2 above). The surface of the cup needs to be properly cleaned to insure you get an accurate
measurement. Also a good socket or machined round socked can be used to space down from the u joint cap and allow for a
measurement to be taken.
10. Measure the inter axle driveline angle. There is an attachment in Roadranger tooling kit used for inter axle shaft due to the prop shaft
being so short it is difficult to get good measurement. (Refer to Figure 3 above).

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11. Measure the rear differential using the same procedure as forward differential. (Refer to Figure 2 above).

Correcting Driveline Angles
The driveline angles will need to be checked using Eaton Driveline Angle Analyzer Software, or Allison Calc. You must use Allison Calc if the
vehicle is equipped with an Allison transmission.
You will need the following information:
•
•
•
•

Tire Revs per Mile
Transmission Top Gear Ratio
Rear Axle Ratio
Max Vehicle Speed

Use ServiceMaxx to obtain the 4 items of information. Input this information into IK2600160 ‐ Vehicle Speed Calculator.
• Leave "Engine Speed" blank.
• Hit "Calculate" to find the Max Engine Speed in Top Gear (Refer to Figure 4)
Figure 4 ‐ Vehicle Speed Calculator Example

• This is an example only. You need the information you gathered from
ServiceMaxx for accurate calculations.

Using Eaton Driveline Angle Analyzer (DAA)
Figure 5 ‐ Open Eaton DAA and Select Driveline Configuration

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• Open Eaton Driveline Angle Analyzer, Select New Driveline,
Scroll through the Driveline Types until you find the
configuration that matches the vehicle you are working on.

Figure 6 ‐ Enter Driveline and Axle Information

• Enter the basic information for the Driveline and Axle.
• Choosing the incorrect driveline series will affect the inertials when the measurements are inputted.
• Choosing the axle does not affect the inertials. You must not choose "other" or Corrective Mode will not work properly.

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Prop Shaft Information
English Metric Series Number

209

409

SPL55

207

407

SPL70

210

410

SPL100

210

410

SPL100

214

414

SPL140

217

417

SPL170

225

425

SPL250

235

435

SPL350

259

459

SPL90

249

449

1480

255

455

1550

259

459

1590

259

459

1590

260

426

1610

270

427

1710

276

428

1760

281

429

1810

440

RPL20

450

RPL25

For more detailed information on Prop Shaft Coding ‐ Click Here.
Figure 7 ‐ Entering the Measurements Taken on Vehicle

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