Radius rods not matching up

Peter J

Peter J

Well-known member
After finishing my breaks, I found the previous owner had attached the rear radius rods with a smaller bolt. Upon trying to replace the bolt with the proper size, I found one of the rods approx. 1/4 inch too far forward and the bolt won't fit. I hope I won't have to loosen the springs to align the rods. They both look very straight.
Any thoughts or tricks would be appreciated. Could I get along with a smaller bolt?

Thanks,
Peter
 
You don't say if you have a cottage industry modified Borg Warner or Volvo overdrive installed. Either can cause the problem if they were not jigged correctly when welded together.

Tom Endy
 
Tom,
It's a straight stock setup. I saw Les Andrews comment on radius rods not matching (throw it out) but 1/4 inch and eyeballed as straight it sure seems their would be a way to coax that side in. I don't think I can get any play from loosening the rear at the back plate.
Pete
 
It is possoble you have a bent axle housing. The car may have been in an accident at one time. A number of times I have had new bearing hubs pressed onto the axle housings. The man at the shop that does the work often finds them slightly bent and is able to straighten them by heating with a torch and quenching with a wet rag. He has to have them straight to be able to turn them on a lathe. I had one rear end I was doing that had an axle housing so bent I could see the curvature. I had to discard it.

If the torque tube is bolted flush to the banjo and the axle housings and radius rods are not bent, the large bolt up front should slide right in.

Tom Endy
 
How long (miles) has the car been running with the smaller bolt? Any known problems from running it this way? If you leave that bolt in, only you will know, and I won't tell.
Paul in CT
 
Paul
Regarding the smaller bolt, I was worried about the rods having excessive play but I wasn't sure how much they flex that might cause excessive (failure).
Pete
 
How is the spring sitting in the crossmember?? How does the crossmember look?? If this monster has been run for some time in this condition with no troubles, then maybe everything is almost OK.. It should only take a few minutes to loosen the U-bolts and see if the radius rod can be coaxed into position.. Have you had anyone follow you to see if any ' dogtracking ' was noticable ??
 
Pat,
I haven't had anyone follow me but I sure could. I'm reading that if that one rod is that close I can call it good and snug them down. I just keep remembering that the car was given a surface resto. job (10' paint ) and not intended for a serious driver. I'll however look at the springs to see if the're square with the frame. I was trying to think of a way to put some tension on that side of the suspension to give me that 1/4 inch.
Pete
 
Try putting a wratchet strap around the out board end of the rear axle and around the rear running board baracket close to the frame, Tighten the strap to pull the backing plate closer to the radius rod and slide the bolts in. It could be the spring pack is a little tweaked. I would snug the up and measure the wheel base to see if there is a difference in the centers from each side. If its the same, no worrys. If not check the housing for straight and the radius rod for signs of "home repairs"
JMHO.
 
Farrell,
I'm ok at the backplate end, its the end at the trans. I could put a my ******** the axle and pull a bit toward the rear. Thanks for the idea. I just don't want to break or bend anything in the process.
Pete
 
The last rear end I install a 3.27 ring and pinion into I had a tough time getting the front wishbone bolt in also. I used a large alignment punch or prybar to coax it into place and after I tightened it up all seems to be good.
 
Also worth a try. I just hate having to go with a smaller bolt in that area because of possible stresses.

Thanks Tom, Pete
 
Hey Guys,
I finally gave up and went with the smaller bolt (hardened). Thats after even tugging on the axel with my truck. I'll just keep an eye on it and if I see any movement, I'll give it another try with the larger bolt.
Thanks again for all your thoughts.
Pete
 
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