Dodge R1500 1999 Service Manual page 459

Fig. 2: Checking Phase Alignment Of One-Piece Drive Shaft
2-Piece Shafts
1) On most models with 2-piece drive shafts, proper yoke
phasing is accomplished by keys on drive shaft spline and keyway in
slip joint splines. Drive shafts of this type will fit together only
one way. Non-key drive shafts will fit together in any order on
spline.
2) Rotate transmission flange/yoke until flange/yoke ears
(trunnion axis) are in horizontal plane. Install front drive shaft-to-
transmission flange/yoke keeping flange/yoke in horizontal plane. This
puts both flange/yoke ears of front drive shaft in vertical plane. See
Fig. 3.
3) Connect center bearing support assembly to crossmember
bracket. Ensure front face of center bearing support assembly is
perpendicular (90 ) to center line of drive shaft. If center bearing
support assembly is installed crooked or off center, drive shaft
vibration and/or noise will result. See Fig. 8.
4) Align and install rear drive shaft splines into slip yoke
splines while keeping rear drive shaft flange/yoke in horizontal
plane. Drive shaft rear "U" joint mounting caps will be in vertical
plane. Set differential pinion flange in vertical plane. Connect rear
drive shaft-to-pinion flange. If 2-piece shaft is correctly installed,
center line of flange/yokes trunnion axis for each individual shaft
will be parallel. See Fig. 3.
Fig. 3: Checking Phase Alignment Of 2-Piece Drive Shaft
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
CHECKING RUNOUT