I had gotten the Lincoln rear under the car and bolted in. It fit nicely but when I put the wheels and tires on it rubbed the fender on one side. Sure enough it was 1/2" or so off center. The only thing not replaced are the front rear spring bushings. The only thing holding the front of the leaf springs now is the bolt. Could this cause the rear to be setting off center this much? I have been waiting weeks for new bushings. Everyone seems to be out of stock. Do any of you know where I can get a set? Thanks! Br***
Doesn't seem like the bushings would have much to do with the misalignment. They position the springs. If the original rear positioned correctly, it might be the position of the spring pads on the new rear axle.
Even if the bushings were completely worn out I cant imagine that it would allow the springs to go off center more than an 1/8 of an inch. Are you running stock wheels? Maybe a diiferent wheels with a little more offset will do the trick. I think I have an extra set of new bushings if you cant find them.
The right side wheel is usually tight. To move the axle over a tad, make up lowering blocks with offset holes. They can be as little as a half inch thick, and have a countersunk screw in one side and a hole offset to what you need to relocate things.
I got frustrated and pulled the rear brakes and everything back down. The perches measure the same to the back of the outboard flanges of the housing so I'm equal there. One flange is 1/8 th thimmer than the other but the problem I have is much more than that. With everything level, I am measuring from the back of the flange to the frame above the axle using a straight edge and tape. I would never have know but then I put the car down to check ride height the left tire barely goes under the fender now. I'm at a loss really. I guess I can swap sides with the springs or put the old ones back on and try that. I have messages in around the net to see if any companies have the bushings, So far, no luck there either. I can't go any further until I get this fixed.
Mark, No, not stock wheels. Origional Keystones and they were tight fit before the swap but would still fit if not for the change in side to side. I may need to take you up on the offer if I can't get something soon.
So when you measure from each backing plate to the frame, it's not off too much?? I can't see the springs being different, but I guess one of them could be bent maybe... Dumb question: are your wheels the same offset?
Spring to spring perches is the same. Measure from the plane of the flange to the frame is out almost 3/4 inch compare to the right side. Somehow it needs to move half that distance back to the right. Yep, I even checked the wheels! It has to be something simple. I just can't find it!
When I worked for Ford, I asked one of the engineers to look up the specs for a p***enger car ch***is. The answer was, all those measurments can be plus or minus 3/8 inch. If it all adds up wrong, like on this car, it can be 3/4 inches off perfect and still be in tolerance.
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