triangulated 4 link with a Panhadr rod setup???

[Dave R]

Hey guys. I run an 8.8 with a triangulated 4 link in my 63 fairlane but I wasn't able to get the angles "triangulated" much. I read that 20* is minimum. I'm not sure I'm there and went as far as I could with the cast center section. Is there an issue with running a panhard rod with a setup like that?

The reason it has me worried is that I pulled the arms off my axle to paint them and when I put it all together, the rear was 3/8" over towards the drivers side when it was initially straight. I don't know what caused it but I'm within a 1/16'th inch of front to back with both sides, level and pinion angle is perfect at ride height. The added 3/8" repositioning kind of bugs me. The arms are straight. I'm not sure what could have moved it but I still worry about the differentiation in the angles.

Here are a few pics of what I have it installed as......


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/ndfastang/media/DSC04042.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/ndfastang/media/DSC04043.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/ndfastang/media/DSC04030.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/ndfastang/media/DSC04039.jpg.html)

What do you guys think???
Nothing as clean and fancy as many here but good enough for a retired military income.
Thanks!

Dave

[killer69]

Nope all it will do is Bind up. maybe a watts link but not a panhard bar. I would try it before I got all carried away. the angles don't look too bad.

[Rod]

^^^ yep what Blake said

[Dave R]

I'll give it a shot then. They just looked closer to parallel than I've seen many others. I can't push it side to side or anything. Just getting paranoid now.

Thanks guys.

Dave

[chevelletiger]

Im running a watts in my chevelle,and im using rubber bushings on one end and a roto joint stye bushing housing on the frame side.i feel having articulation is really needed on four link rear set ups.

[ford396]

If your concern remains, you could always add a panhard bar and unhook one upper arm. This will eliminate the bind and hold the axle like you wish.

Just a thought.

Bob

[chevelletiger]

The ideal thing would be a tourqe arm or a offset upper arm like what lateral dynamics did with there's,and watts link.the thing with running a watts with the stock upper arm location,is not going with a too low roll center,the last time I spoke with mark he hold me to run the rocker up as high as I could,and a 16 inch rch was ideal.maybe he can chime in it's been awhile since I spoke with him,or call Jim Fay,at fays2 to get some help with you application.jims a very nice man,and knows a lot about watts links.

[bret]

If your concern remains, you could always add a panhard bar and unhook one upper arm. This will eliminate the bind and hold the axle like you wish.

Just a thought.

Bob

No, no! If you are going to run a single upper arm it needs to be parallel to the centerline of the car, not angled as in the triangulated 4 link design.

[ford396]

I guess I did not explain myself well. You are correct; the arm would need to be straight. I guess I was thinking that he would simply move a bracket and straighten it out. I did not state this as I should have. GM actually did this on some of their cars, eliminating a link on one side.

Thank you.

Bob

[cornfedbill]

With rubber bushings you can get away with a bit of bind, but not with your setup in the photos. Give it a try first.

If it does not work, try using only one upper link, but make it parallel to the lowers. Then you can run a panhard bar or watts link.