# US 5,703,796 A · Driveline alignment apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,703,796 A - Document ID: US5703796A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/678,126 - Filed: 1996-07-11 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1996-07-11 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Mohammad A. Moradi; Michael D. Rossman; Larry LaBell; Bonita Holz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5703796A ## CPC - G01B 11/272: {using photoelectric detection means} - B60K 17/24: Arrangement of mountings for shafting - B62D 65/10: the sub-units or components being engines, clutches or transmissions - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract An apparatus and method for aligning a driveline in a motor vehicle, including supporting a transmission and a rear axle with the body of the motor vehicle. A driveshaft is supported at a first end with the transmission and supported at a second end with the rear axle. A center bearing is positioned to the body of the motor vehicle to further support the driveshaft. The position of the driveline is then measured and a shim thickness is calculated for installation between the center bearing and the body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for aligning a driveline in a motor vehicle having a body, comprising the steps of: and supporting a transmission and a rear axle with the body of the motor vehicle; supporting a driveshaft at a first end with the transmission and supporting the driveshaft at a second end with the rear axle; positioning a driveshaft center bearing to the body of the motor vehicle and further supporting the driveshaft with the center bearing; measuring the position of the driveline before the center bearing is secured to the body; and calculating a shim thickness to install between the center bearing and the body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of aligning a driveline according to claim 1, wherein measuring the position of the driveline comprises measuring the vertical location of the driveshaft at the front, center, and rear of the driveshaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of aligning a driveline according to claim 2, wherein the axle includes a differential and measuring the position of the driveline further comprises measuring the vertical location of the transmission and differential. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A method for aligning a driveline in a motor vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the measurements are used to calculate the thickness of a shim between the center bearing and the body for aligning the driveline. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method for aligning a driveline of a motor vehicle according to claim 4, further comprising measuring the lateral position of the driveshaft at the front, center, and rear of the driveshaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A method of aligning a driveline of a motor vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the center bearing is moved laterally to align the center of the driveshaft with the front and rear ends. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A method for aligning a driveline of a motor vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising measuring the longitudinal position of the driveshaft, transmission and differential. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) A method for aligning the driveline of a motor vehicle according to claim 4, wherein Perceptron P1000 system is used to determine the shim thickness. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method for aligning the driveline of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the driveline position is measured using non-contact techniques. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A method for aligning the driveline of a motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the driveline is measured using Perceptron cameras. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method for aligning the driveline of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a coordinate measuring machine is used to measure the driveline position. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for measuring the alignment of a driveline of a motor vehicle having a body, comprising: means for supporting the body of a motor vehicle having a driveline including a transmission, driveshaft and rear axle attached thereto; means for supporting a driveshaft at a first end with the transmission and supporting the driveshaft at a second end with the rear axle; means for positioning a driveshaft center bearing to the body of the motor vehicle and further supporting the driveshaft with the center bearing; means for measuring the position of the driveline comprising a Perceptron camera; and means for calculating a shim thickness to install between the center bearing and the body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An apparatus for measuring the alignment of a driveline of a motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the means for calculating the shim thickness comprises a Perceptron P1000 system.