Different kind of driveshaft question...

Ok, I've looked and looked but can't find too much over here (more about it on the tundra forums)

Driveshaft (rear) alignment. Not working angles, actual longitudinal alignment... never thought much about it till I bolted my new Woody one piece in. Looking up at where the center support bearing used to be- the DS is clearly off to the drivers side.

Here's what I did. Loosened my spring perches, cheated all the "slack" I could get (aint much) to try and get the DS right down the middle. That's not gonna be my solution. Although it's marginally more centered (based on the CB mounting brackets) my rear axle now is shifted far enough to the passenger side to be noticeable (looking at it from the rear)

So... I'm going to center the rear axle (with regards to the body) but my next question before diving back under my truck- has anyone messed with the rear trans mount? Is there side to side play in it if I unbolt it? (looks like 4 bolts holding it to the crossmember) I mean... does the output of the trans even need to be exactly in line with the rear diff? Sure seems like it should be.

I should clarify- I'm only digging into this because seeing it drives me nuts. And a little bit because the Woods one piece shaft didn't cure ALL my vibes at ALL speeds- so I'm ruling things out one at a time. Honestly, it's as smooth as I remember it ever being... But I still get a passenger seat shake around 75mph

My list of things that I've disqualified

tires/wheels/balance
excessive spring wrap
pinion bearing/t-case output bearing
pinion angle
frame damage

The perfectionist in me wants my DS pointing straight at my rear axle. Seems reasonable.

Discuss amongst yourselves-

Kyle

 

None of them are straight down the middle.

 

It's not a big deal, you've given it too much thought. It's just not that precise, just run it and go that's what the ujoint is there for to take up the slack for not being in an exact straight line.

 

There's one net angle at each end of the driveshaft and whether it's running directly down the centerline of the truck is practically irrelevant. I'd say unreasonable.