4-Link Bracket Update

When I last left off, I had the rear 4-link brackets positioned and tacked into place and had successfully mocked-up the housing in the car.  After several nights of measuring everything, I decided to fully weld the brackets into place and moved on to fitting the panhard rod bracket to the axle.

After a little bit of trimming and fitting and careful positioning of the bracket, I tacked it into place and verified the fit in the car.  As fortune would have it, the panhard rod fit very well and I could now weld everything fully.  With all of the axle brackets fully integrated into the axle housing, I headed back to the car for another fit test and attached everything one more time.  Again, I was very happy that everything looked to be in good order and I am now feeling a good bit more comfortable with the state of affairs in the rear suspension. 

There is still a lot left to do, but I am concentrating on getting the differential assembled and the axle housing outfitted with a new axle vent, right side brake line mount tab, left side distribution block mount, relocation of the brake hard line tabs and machine the integrated axle jack point / drain bung.  Once I get all of that squared away, I will prep the housing for powder coat, assemble and install the rear calipers, rotors and flexible brake lines and bend up the stainless hard line.  That should button up the axle assembly and allow me to concentrate on the rest of the rear suspension modifications (which will be fairly numerous).  Should be interesting when I’m done!

I don't think these brackets will fall off.  Once I had the 4-link brackets fully welded, I could concentrate on the panhard bracket.



After a few trial fits and tacking into place, I welded the panhard bracket in place.

Another look at the panhard bracket after welding.

With only a little clean-up, these welds will show nicely after powder coat.

Here is a shot of the left side brackets complete and mocked up in the car.

 

I just love how purposeful and "all-bidnez" this rear suspension looks under the car.

Looking toward the right side of the car, you can clearly see the panhard in place.