Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Adjustments

If the vertical bolts on both engine mounts have been loosened, or vehicle has experienced front structural damage, driveshaft length must be checked.
The engine mounts incorporate slotted bolt holes to permit side-to-side positioning of the engine, thereby affecting length of driveshaft. To check driveshaft length proceed as follows.

Fig. 8 Right side driveshaft length. 1982:

Fig. 9 Measuring clearance between bushing and support bracket. 1982:

1982
Measuring of the right driveshaft (passenger side) will indicate proper positioning of both sides.
1. Position vehicle so that weight of the body is on all four wheels.
2. Using a tape measure or other suitable measuring device, measure direct distance from inner edge of outboard boot to inner edge of inboard boot.
3. If measurement matches length shown, no further action is required. If measurement is not within given range, engine position must be corrected as follows:
a. Remove load on engine motor mounts by carefully supporting engine and transaxle assembly with a floor jack.
b. Loosen right and left engine mount vertical fasteners and front engine mount bracket to front crossmember bolts. The right and left engine mount rubber bushings should be positioned to provide approximately 0.06---0.14 inch clearance between bushing and supporting bracket. When bracket movement is required, it will be necessary to obtain proper bushing to bracket clearance as well as proper driveshaft length.
c. Pry engine right or left as required to achieve proper driveshaft assembly length. A total of 0.47 inch is available for driveshaft length adjustment. Insert 3 mm thick spacers adjacent to isolator snubber on each side. These spacers must be in place when engine mount fasteners are tightened.
d. Torque right and left engine mount vertical bolts to 250 inch lbs. and torque front engine mount bolts to 40 ft-lbs.