LAKEWOOD INDUSTRIES
PINION ANGLE
Pinion angle affects the efficiency of power
transmission from the driveshaft to the rearend. The
pinion angle is the difference between the pinion
centerline and the driveshaft centerline. for maximum
performance, the ideal is to have a slight pinion down
angle (min. 2 degrees) under full power. Obviously, the
pinion angle changes as power is applied, so the axle
housing begins to twist as the pinion tries to drive the
ring gear. Rear axle wind-up can take some of the
intial energy or “hit” away from the launch. As a
general rule, a leaf spring rear suspension should
have between 5-7 degrees of static pinion angle
(pinion down); and a factory four-link should be set
between 4-6 degrees.
Keep in mind that these pinion angles are for
competition. If you primarily drive your car on the
street, you shouldn’t have more than a 5 degree
angle, max. The u-joints are designed to run at this
angle, which allows the cups to rotate, avoiding
premature wear and failure. This doesn’t affect leaf
spring supension, since it runs well within this
tolerance.
You will need to have the car level, up on (4) car
ramps or blocks of equal heights, so you have room
to work under the car when checking the pinion
angle. Also, both the front and rear suspensions need
to be loaded to get accurate readings. The height of
the rearend (relative to the rest of the driveline) will
affect the pinion angle. Using an angle finder, which is
a tool the combines a bubble level and protractor, to
determine the correct pinion angle for your car.
Position the angle finder on the driveshaft and record
the measurement, and then place the angle finder on
the pinion (the u-joint yoke rotated to vertical position
will give an accurate reading) and record the
measurment. The pinion angle is a combination of the
two measurements.
EXAMPLES:
(pinion 0 degrees & driveshaft 6 degrees = 6 degrees total )
(pinion 2 degrees & driveshaft 4 degrees = 6 degrees total )
(pinion 3 degrees & driveshaft 3 degrees = 6 degrees total )
(pinion 4 degrees & driveshaft 2 degrees = 6 degrees total )
(pinion 6 degrees & driveshaft 0 degrees = 6 degrees total )
OTHER SUSPENSION TIPS!
THE FOLLOWING ARE FINE TUNING TIPS FOR
YOUR SUSPENSION
You can purchase shocks that are 3 position
adjustable for both front and rear applications. These
shocks are available from your local speed shop, or
other suppliers. If you can’t find shocks designed for
your specific application, you’ll have to check in a
shock catalog for O.E. applications. You may have to
use shocks from another make or model that has the
same mounts at each end, and the same length, or an
inch or two longer, which won’t hurt, because it allows
for more suspension travel, so you don’t hit the end of
your shock travel and pull the rear wheels off the
ground.
LEAF SPRING REAR SUSPENSION
With Lakewood lift bars, there are shims supplied with
the bars that are used to put more preload in the bars.
When installing the bars always put one more shim on
the right side (pass. side) than the left side (drivers
side). This extra shim helps to counteract engine
torque wanting to lift the left front corner. Use 90/10
front shocks on small blocks, 80/20 or 70/30 with big
blocks and high horsepower small blocks. use 50/50
shocks on the rear.
COIL SPRING REAR SUSPENSION
Use 90/10 front shocks on small block cars, 80/20 or
70/30 on big blocks cars, and high horsepower small
blocks. Except on short wheel base cars like
Mustangs and Capri’s, use the 80/20 or 70/30
settings. Use 50/50 rear shocks along with an air bag
in the right rear coil spring only (4-8 lbs. air), this you
will have to play with to find the best setting for your
car. The air bag is used to counteract the engine
torque wanting to lift the left front corner.
CHASSIS WORK
To help the effects of the lift bars, a minimum of six
point cage to stiffen the chassic up would help. That
way the chassis is not absorbing the energy hit or the
bars, and all the energy will be directed to the tires, to
help lay out a bigger footprint.
**NOTE: THIS DRAWING IS AN
EXAGGERATION.
THE PINION ANGLE IS THE RELATION
BETWEEN THE PINION CENTERLINE
AND THE DRIVESHAFT CENTERLINE.
