OEM 2000 Dodge Durango Drive Shaft

2000 Dodge Durango Drive Shaft Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Ensure Accurate Driveline Alignment for a One-Piece Drive Shaft on 2000 Dodge Durango?

  A: For accuracy in checking driveline alignment for a one-piece propeller shaft, lift and stabilize the car at the axles as evenly as you can, causing the wheels and shaft to rotate. Remove both caps and rings from the joint to make sure the base of the inclinometer sits flat. Turn the shaft until the transmission/transfer case output yoke bearing cap faces down, then measure from front to rear. With the yoke bearing cap parallel to the shaft, level the bubble in the sight glass, record the reading and note it as the transmission or output yoke angle. Turn the propeller shaft so it is sideways, place the inclinometer facing it, center the bubble and write down the reading for the angle. The transmission output operating angle is obtained by removing the smaller number from the larger one. Turn the propeller shaft another 90 degrees, line up your inclinometer with the pinion yoke bearing cap parallel to the shaft, center the bubble and note down the value to measure the angle of the pinion or input yoke. Subtracting the smaller number from the larger one gives the axle Input Operating Angle. In addition to the same procedure for a one-piece propeller, a two-piece propeller shaft requires the front half-shaft to be level with the rear axle pinion shaft, the front and rear half-shafts have a difference of at least 1/2 of a degree from the transmission/transfer case output shaft and the two half-shafts differ from each other by the same amount, as well. U-joints operate best when the angle of movement is reduced to less than 1 inch, 3° end play and includes a minimum continuous movement angle of 1/2 of one degree.