AB>> (especially when I worked for 4-Wheel & Off-Road) and as long as you
AB> I'm assuming 4 Wheel & Off-road magazine.  Whats the real story behind
AB>working for a magazine?
Yes, Petersen's 4WOR. I wrote tech stories for them from around '84-88
(+/-). ("Mighty Rat," 454 in a Blazer) Real story? I'm not sure what you
want to know. (It's not Consumer Reports ... ) Don't plan on getting
rich.
AB>Speaking of angles, I've always figured that the above scenario you 
ention
AB>would be best for longevity rather than equal angles. Better to have 1 
joint
AB>stressed than two in my opinion.
According to the U-Joint guys I talked to, you actually want some
misallignment (equal angles as you mentioned) to distribute the wear
more evenly over the surface ("race") of the U-joint. Otherwise you
can get "Brinelling," localized high stress and wear. They recommended 1
degree for stationary applications, but vehicles move enough on their
own that you really don't have to worry about it.
You are certainly right about equal angles on stationary applications,
the out-of-phase will tear stuff up pretty fast. It's just not a real
problem with vehicles (but too much angle is ... !) Hint, next time you
see a really jacked up 4x4, check to see if his front drive shaft is
there or has been removed ....
Jackson
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 * SLMR 2.1 * Speed costs money - How fast can you afford to go?
--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 
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