Drive line.

Okay, so I've done a little work on my truck mostly by myself, I replaced the front wheel bearings, both sides, oil pan gasket, and the u joints on my drive line.
When I replaced the oil pan gasket I got to looking at my drive line and noticed that it is not aligned! It slopes up from the rear of the truck to the carrier bearing and from there it's pretty level...my question is, (and I'm pretty sure that's not a good thing), what is the long run consequence for my Pre Runner?! With the drive line not In alignment?!!

And my mechanic"friend" is the one that put it all back in for me!

Thanks everyone!!

 

Are you asking thinking the front and rear sections need to be in a straight line? Based on what you described is normal and needed. A U-joint needs to be at an angle. The difference between the front and rear should be a few degrees. This will change as the rear axle/suspension goes thru its travel. A u-joint operating a 0 will wear out quickly due to the bearings will not be spinning and the load will be concentrated in one spot in each bearing assembly. Now if you are talking about the joints being out of phase is different. The joints being in phase is when all the u-joints are clocked in alignment. This can happen if the slip yoke did not get reassemble correctly. If it got reassemble where lets say one joint is positioned with it the ends of the cross is at 12,3,6 and 9 but the other joint is at say 2,5,8 and 11 then it is out of phase. If this is the case the best thing to do is take it to a quality driveline shop, have it re-phased and the balance checked. You could re-phase it but you may end up with vibrations. If it is not phased correctly, you will also have vibrations. Hear is shop that should be able handle anything you need driveline related. Drive Shaft Experts | Eugene, OR | Drive Line Services of Eugene

 

If you are saying the the driveshaft slopes down from the carrier to rear differential, this is normal.
The front half of the shaft coming out of the transmission has less slop. The second half a lot more slope.

If you realize want to learn about angles and phasing, see the link below.
But what you describe sounds perfectly normal.

Pictorials start at post #17

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/driveshaft-angles.465292/

 

Take a picture or video of what you are referring to.

We really aren't sure exactly what you are talking about.

 

The drive line from the carrier bearing to the differential goes UP, LoL, then slopes down. I'll take a pic soon as I find a dry spot. I'm in Oregon, been pretty rainy today, and I'm homeless so no garage floor..lol and thanks everyone!

 

Okay! WOW, the lightbulbs just came on!! Thank you so much!! Makes total sense to me now!! I'm a visual hands on learner . Thank you again!

So ya, it's like it should be. I need to make sure now that my driveline is "true".