| Re: [GMCnet] Why is the front higher than the rear on a GMC [message #87806] |
Tue, 08 June 2010 21:29  |
kenneth hugelier
Messages: 89
Registered: August 2008
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Ken
I checked the drive axle angle with a small bullet level this afternoon. The length of the level is nine inches, in that length, the drive axle drops one inch. This may explain the noise I heard when leaving the Hamilton work rally which as I recall now, sounded like it may have been CV joint bind. I had no trouble on the way home and have not driven the coach since, as I have been working on the interior and just today, replaced two rear wheel brake cylinders.
I am concerned about undue CV joint wear. Level drive axles sound, on the face of it, to be reasonable and logical as is the reasoning provided here on the Forum, however I am sure the information you used to provide the measuring "sticks" that we used was good as well. How do you suggest I proceed?
ken hugelier 77 PB Det. Mich.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why is the front higher than the rear on a GMC [message #87829 is a reply to message #87806] |
Wed, 09 June 2010 08:26  |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| kenneth hugelier wrote on Tue, 08 June 2010 21:29 |
Ken
I checked the drive axle angle with a small bullet level this afternoon. The length of the level is nine inches, in that length, the drive axle drops one inch. This may explain the noise I heard when leaving the Hamilton work rally which as I recall now, sounded like it may have been CV joint bind. I had no trouble on the way home and have not driven the coach since, as I have been working on the interior and just today, replaced two rear wheel brake cylinders.
I am concerned about undue CV joint wear. Level drive axles sound, on the face of it, to be reasonable and logical as is the reasoning provided here on the Forum, however I am sure the information you used to provide the measuring "sticks" that we used was good as well. How do you suggest I proceed?
ken hugelier 77 PB Det. Mich.
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I have the same questions. I looked at mine last night and the axles are off level by about the same amount. Now the question is: Do we use the factory specs for ride height or do we drop the whole coach by about 1 inch to achieve the level drive axles?
I'm not sure how important it is to have the axles straight or if it is important at all.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why is the front higher than the rear on a GMC [message #87835 is a reply to message #87833] |
Wed, 09 June 2010 09:02 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
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When I was at the Coop Resort a couple years ago to have the tanks dropped, Jim Noticed the front end was lower than it should be. They cranked up the tension to get her back to specs.
My thought is the GMC has a specific height for two reasons,
ONE is to keep the tanks and systems level for the liquids that have to move around
TWO is to be high enough to avoid hitting any objects that might be on the road in a campground or for some of you boonies, in the fields where you like to for ISOLATION.
A THIRD thought reminds me back when the guys would raise the back ends of their cars to look FAST!!! The result would be the transmission would start to slip because of the imbalance of fluids......
My suggestion is to try to maintain the original specs for those two reasons.
LarC ( Keeping it OEM Keeps 'Em Runnin )
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why is the front higher than the rear on a GMC [message #87933 is a reply to message #87806] |
Thu, 10 June 2010 11:35 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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If your front end is too high, you will feel it long before you will hear it. The inner joints are "tripots" and are very sensitive to excessive angle. You will feel a 3 per rev type of shudder on acceleration as the front end lifts. If you aren't feeling that then the front end definitely is not too high. They have a very small operating range. The outer joints are true constant velocity joints and aren't at all sensitive to angle since they have to allow full wheel turn angles.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why is the front higher than the rear on a GMC [message #87949 is a reply to message #87933] |
Thu, 10 June 2010 12:55 |
fred v
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
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| Bob de Kruyff wrote on Thu, 10 June 2010 11:35 |
If your front end is too high, you will feel it long before you will hear it. The inner joints are "tripots" and are very sensitive to excessive angle. You will feel a 3 per rev type of shudder on acceleration as the front end lifts. If you aren't feeling that then the front end definitely is not too high. They have a very small operating range. The outer joints are true constant velocity joints and aren't at all sensitive to angle since they have to allow full wheel turn angles.
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so what do you recommend? lower the whole coach to make the axles level or close to it or what?
Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why is the front higher than the rear on a GMC [message #87954 is a reply to message #87949] |
Thu, 10 June 2010 14:00 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
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If the ride height is per the spec to the frame slots, your CV joint angles will be OK. If you are running different size tires, you should adjust the ride height to ground accordingly. If you are running 225/75/R16 or stock size, the difference isn't worth worrying about. Other than engine mounts, I can't think of any reason why your angles could be off if your ride height is correct. Even then, mounts sag, not grow. Like I said earlier, if your joints don't vibrate the angle isn't excessive.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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