Airbar Cradle INSTALL PROBLEM..

[toofun]

So I went to install the cradle for the airbar 4 link setup and ran into a problem.. When I try and place the cradle in between the frame rails it doesnt fit inside of them very well AT ALL. I made sure the rear of the car is on jack stands and level but when I slide the cradle forward having the front bar hit the floor pan and line up the arch of the cradle with the arch of the frame it just doesnt fit. it sits cocked almost and the mounting points are about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the frame Almost like something is cocked or something. I dont want to just screw it in and try to pull it into place as I am afraid of the thin frame metal pulling out. I also dont want to start HAMMERING away at it to bang it into place either unless that is what I am suppose to do???? I guess I would love to have reference points if possible off the tank straps or SOMETHING.



I dont see any of the holes that the video on "48 hour camaro" video is talking about and the only other holes I see are a pair of them facing the ground from the frame BUT if I line those holes up to the back of the cradel then the bar would be going straight across where the tank straps are suppose to go... ANY TRICK TO INSTALLING THIS? Is it suppose to just slide in between the frame rails or does it need some soft blow hammer help? What should I reference it off of? I dont want to install it into the wrong place but I just cant make it go inbetween the rails without it being way off. Any help would be appreciated and THANKS IN ADVANCE!! BTW I have a MINITUB in the car... and the snubber is cut off per the instructions...

Mark
TOOFUN

[killer69]

pictures would be a big help to clarify your issue.

[exwestracer]

pictures would be a big help to clarify your issue.

^^^Absolutely essential^^^

[dhutton]

Hard to tell from your description, pics would help as Blake suggested. Did you remove the pinion snubber? I had to beat on the trunk floor to get the shock mount crossmember to sit high enough and even then I had to add a small shim to fill the gap on the frame rail. There is a thread about this somewhere.

[dhutton]

Here is the thread:

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...ion&highlight=

[toofun]

WOW ok that thread was helpful. I will tackle it again tomorrow with hammer and Jack in hand.. I do have one question though.. How do I know how far forward to position the cradle? Should it follow the same curve as the cradle itself with the curve of the frame? What are the consequences of putting it a little too far back or far forward? I just want to make sure I get the positioning of it right as it seems to be the most critical part of the install. Thanks again and I will post pics of it when I am done!

Mark
TOOFUN

[dhutton]

It has been a few years but my recollection is that you put it as far forward as you can. That is why you remove the pinion snubber.

[alnoe]

Hi Mark

I installed one on my '67 several years ago (I think I may have done the first coilover/airbar install-if I remember right, I think I got kit #4 or 5-thanks Brett!). The guys at ridetech are top notch and can help you with pics, etc.

On my car, I had to cut out the pinion snubber mounting pad and as the others mentioned also "gently massage" the trunk floor. The cradle fits "tight", which is what you want. I remember spending a far amount of time grinding both the frame rails and some paint off the air bar mounting pads. Once that was done, it still took a bit of wedging to get it in place.

Another thing to keep in mind is our cars are now almost 45 years old. Who knows if the car was ever wrecked, tweaked, etc.

Once you get everything in place, it does work very, very well. I have put several thousand miles on mine (probably 10K easy), and upgraded to heim ends to give it even more articulation. Works great and the car rides very well.

If you need, I may be able to snap some pics on the car this weekend.

Good luck!

Al

[onair]

Hello Mark,

What year car? The rear tabs should be right where the hump for the gas tank straps flattens out agianst the trunk pan. You want to get it as far forward as possible. It usually bottoms out agianst the body in the front about the same time that it gets tight in between the frame rails. Due to 60's technology and years of driving, I have also seen it fit tight between the rails and still have a little gap between the front tube and the body. The rear tube usually fits fairly snug agianst the floor depending on how many cases of beer has been in the trunk at one time. If you can't get it send me some pics so I can see whats going on with it.

Thanks,

Rodney