Alignment tool for phasing of splined slip joint driveshaft components

Abstract

An alignment fixture to rotationally align driveshaft components includes a first driveshaft component having a yoke secured to it, the yoke having opposed arms with openings for receiving universal joint bearings, with the openings being aligned on a yoke axis, and wherein a cross with bearing cups is mounted within the yoke, with the bearing cups being positioned within the yoke arm openings, and wherein the first driveshaft component has splines for transmitting torque, and wherein a second driveshaft component has splines for interengagement with the splines of the first driveshaft component in a slip joint, the second driveshaft component having an alignment mark indicative of angular orientation with respect to a universal joint yoke fixed to the second driveshaft component. The fixture includes a main body having a concave surface for positive contact with the first driveshaft component. The fixture also has a pair of opposed locator pads mounted from a forward end of the main body, the opposed locator pads being shaped to contact the bearing cups positioned within the yoke arm openings, the opposed locator pads defining a transverse locator axis therebetween, wherein contact between the opposed locator pads and the bearing cups causes the fixture to become aligned with the yoke of the first driveshaft component resulting in parallel alignment of the transverse locator axis with the yoke axis. The fixture also has an indicator collar on a rearward end of the main body, the indicator collar having indicia indicative of angular displacement of locations on the collar relative to the transverse locator axis, wherein the angular orientation of the second driveshaft component relative to the transverse locator axis, and hence the yoke openings of the first driveshaft component, can be determined by comparing the alignment mark of the second driveshaft component with the indicia on the collar.