Best spot to measure pinion angle on 8.25?

[jamiemac]

Quite a while back, I put an AA SYE on My NP231. When I measured My pinion angle, I couldn't get a consistent reading with My angle finder. I'm running about 3'' of lift so I eyeballed it the best I could. Went with 2.5 degree shims on My spring pack. I am however getting more vibes than I did before the lift. They are pretty mild, and I can hear it more than feel it through the body of the Jeep.

I think I need a more accurate reading of the angle. The best spot on the 8.25 to measure I guess would be the pinion yoke? I have replaced My yoke with one of the heavy duty U bolt style sold by Jeff at justdifferentials. It's possible that I could get a more consistent measurement of the new yoke.

If anybody knows of a particular spot on the 8.25 that has a better surface to measure from, I would sure appreciate the info.

Mac

 

[RCP Phx]

Best spot is the 2 machined "flats" on either side of the diff cover.Since you replaced the yoke I tend to think the vibes might be coming from that install.How did you set the pinion pre-load when you installed the new yoke?

 

[WB9YZU]

I use a socket that fits inside the u-joint holes on the yoke, then put the Angle finder on top of that.

 

[jamiemac]

Best spot is the 2 machined "flats" on either side of the diff cover.Since you replaced the yoke I tend to think the vibes might be coming from that install.How did you set the pinion pre-load when you installed the new yoke?

Vibe was there before the yoke replacement. Yoke was replaced because I broke a strap bolt in the old one, and just decided to go with the better yoke. Pinion pre-load was ok before, so torquing the new yoke to 150 pounds is enough to put the bearings back in the same specs without crushing the crush sleeve any more.