[GMR]

First time attempting this - car is sitting on jackstands, removed my rear axle (Ford 9 inch) to rebuild third member. As an exercise, I reinstalled the empty axle housing and hooked up all the suspension (coil overs, triangulated Pete& Jakes ladder bars, panhard rod). I have only floor jack and jack stands and wanted to see if I felt confident lying on my back I could install third member with the axle housing and suspension in place. Didn't like it. I removed axle housing and installed third member into it out of the car. Been trying to get the axle assembly back into the car but can't get the ladder bars to bolt up. Had no trouble installing the empty housing and suspension but seems the weight of the third member is causing me problems. I didn't change any of the suspension adjustments. I can attach the coilovers and panhard rod but can't get the ladder bars done. Appreciate any advice.

[xntrik]

Not being there to see it, I can only offer these comments.

Ladder bars are a drag race only design. I am not sure what you mean by triangulated. Are they actually ladder bars, or do they pivot at the axle housing? Since anything mounted solid to the housing binds the suspension travel.

Since your suspension is triangulated, a panhard bar is needed to resist side to side movement.

When the suspension extends, the trianglulated bar arc makes the rear end move forward, and the panhard makes it move sideways.
You will have to jack up the housing to running height to get everything to line up.

I hope I shed some light onto the situation, at least enough to peak your interest in suspension design.

[GMR]

Thanks xntrik - problem solved, everything is in place. Tried to cut/paste a picture of the bars as seen at rjays.com web site (they call them ladder bars)but didn't work. The bars are not mounted parallel but have urethane bushings at front center pivots (so I called them triangulated) and adjustable clevises at the rear. Yes, I am interested in suspension and trying to learn. Any suggested reading material would be appreciated.
Something else - here's a picture of my panhard rod attachment.
Between the mounting bracket is a washer, a Sears thread cutting die, a washer, the rod end, another washer. Any opinion on this. Also, how much lateral play should there be within the bracket. Thanks.

[xntrik]

To answer your question= I don't think there should be any "lateral play" in the suspension mounting.


Here's a place to start learning about the basic rear suspensions. Not all inclusive, but a good basic understanding.
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tec...ide/index.html

Ignore it when he ^^^^^^^calls cylindrical bushings "spherical".



Cruise the big magazine sites, PHR, HR, CC, SC, etc. and go to tech articles, and put "rear suspension" into the search.

That should keep you busy all year... LOL

The "resident" chassis engineer on this site is THE Billy Shope.
Probably THE best chassis engineer anywhere, IMO.
Watch for his posts or search for his posts in the history.
Just enter BillyShope

When he speaks...... listen veeeeery carefully.

HotRod Magazine, current issue, April 2007, "The High and The Mighty", see p. 55

[GMR]

Thanks xntrik

[xntrik]

http://home.earthlink.net/~whshope/

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/sear...earchid=909888

[GMR]

Thanks. I saw the Hot Rod article (Ramchargers and Mr. Shope). The first link you sent I can get to but not the second.