[John Poling]

PNJSNAK,

My rear axle was pointing at about a 7 degree pinion up angle, was yours this bad? Joe T. told me that their jig for putting the control arm and shock mounts on the housing should point the housing up at about 3 degrees. Some of the problem I was having as far as bottoming out was the top of my pig was hitting the crossmember that is right at the top of the transmission tunnel when the car was sitting at the correct ride height. The other factor in the bottoming out was the shock mount brackets as welded to the axle housing were rotated to such a degree that my spring seats on the coil overs were resting on that axle bracket to such a point that at times my shocks were contacting the springs. Before I removed the rear from the car last week for the welding, I spent some time and ground part of the top of the axle/shock braket so that contact was not made with the spring seat and adjusted the rear ride height so that I had about 5" of clearance in the wheel well to the tire, that seemed to cure the bottoming sensation.

When the adjustible arms were installed, it rolled the rear housing to such a point that now the axle/shock brackets are not even close to making contact with the spring mounts and the pig has about 2.5"-3" of space between it and the cross member, before it only had maybe a half inch with the car sitting at the correct ride height.

As far as the welding and the brace, all it cost me was the electricity for my MIG welder and about 4 hours welding time this past Saturday.

I will definately let you know the details of the Heim joint when I do that, it may be a while though as I do not really need the adjustable uppers, but since I have them, I sure can't let them go to waste now can I?

To say the least, when this whole thing started I just about threw in the towel as I have had a lot of stupid problems like this with my A&C build that it doesn't sound like many others had. Joe Trombley on several occassions was the saving grace with his willingness to go above and beyond where he had to. I really appreciate what he has done for me regarding this issue and some others that I have had.

Also a big THANK YOU! to all those here on CC who take the time to help a fellow Gearhead out in time of dispair.

John