just installed my alston torque arm and set the pinion angle by measuring the driveshaft angle and subtracting it from from the pinion angle. I got 4* for the driveshaft and set the pinion to -6* to get -2* for my pinion angle. is this right? it just looks like the pinion is pointed way down and im worried about the adjuster being to far out. the car was level on the ground to.

 

That's a confusing post, like where are your angle measurements referenced from? Just remember you want the rear end and transmission center lines as close to parallel as possible under acceleration. In other words if your transmission points up 2 degrees you want the rearend down 2 degrees when going down the road.

 

i put the angle finder on the driveshaft took the reading. then put in on the flat torque arm mount on took the reading. i was told that you take driveshaft angle and subtract it from the pinion angle. so my readings were,
+4*(da)--6(pa)=-2* for the total pinion angle. if just looks like the pinion is pointed way down but this is how alston told me to do it. now i have read many ways of setting pinion angle, from just setting the pinion -2* to measuring the crankshaft center and setting the pinion -2* from that

 

You need the angle relation of the trans to driveshaft first.

Now to do this the car must be loaded at normal ride height. So if it is jacked up off the ground, the rear axle needs to be resting on the jackstands and you are good.

Now, with a flat straightedge or small piece of long enough 2x4, etc.... place the straightend of choice front to rear accross the trans pan then gauge the angle off the straightedge. (reason you use a straight edge is because most trans pans are dented and do not yeild a good reading. Edge to edge of the pan is generally close enough for govt work).

next, that pan angle in relation to the driveshaft angle difference= ??? (lets say the trans is 10* and the driveshaft is 8* on the gauge based on how the car is jacked unlevel- the angle is 2* difference.

Go get that and I will continue...
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Now finally, you take the driveshaft angle and the pinion angle "match the same + then add 1* downward towards the ground".

With the yoke downward 1* more of an angle than the trans to driveshaft angle, under load the two u-joint relations match and cancel out eachother duew to trust deflection.

You are done