Difficulty Mounting Upper Link "Banana" Bracket

[Holgate]

Hi all,

I'm having trouble getting the upper link bracket (also referred to as the "banana" bracket, I think). Specifically, I can't get the arm that bolts to the differential housing to line up with the hole in the housing. At best it's still 1/4" away. :( The manual mentions maybe needing to bore out the existing housing hole a little bit, but where I'm at would essentially double the size of the hole and I'm not thinking that's the thing to do. Has anyone else dealt with this?

THANKS!
Shannon

[Pirate]

Yes, I think we all have had to deal with this issue. Don't be afraid to tap the bracket with the dead blow onto the axel. The holes should line up a little better then. I actually grinded all of the powder coating off and then resprayed with some black paint. I don't really know if it made much of a difference though. Once you tap the bracket into place your holes should line up a lot better. I had to bore mine out once the bracket was in place but the holes were lined up pretty much and boring only took away a little bit of metal.

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p544/Pirate767/0837dd520f2638761d8b919730543ac6_zps0626bfd5.jpg (http://s1155.photobucket.com/user/Pirate767/media/0837dd520f2638761d8b919730543ac6_zps0626bfd5.jpg.h tml)

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p544/Pirate767/0e9981eea92b381f37e2831c2dfefd7c_zpsbecc9813.jpg (http://s1155.photobucket.com/user/Pirate767/media/0e9981eea92b381f37e2831c2dfefd7c_zpsbecc9813.jpg.h tml)

Chris

Ps. The bracket in those pictures isn't fully tightened down. That was the mockup after drilling out the holes.

[Holgate]

Thanks, Chris. My real problem is where the arm coming off the bracket meets the differential housing. The holes are WAY off. Here's a pic below...not sure if it communicates what's going on...

36923

[CraigS]

That is kind of common even if yours does seem to be a little more than usual. When assembling anything w/ a lot of bolts I know I always tend to get all bolts started and then tighten them a little at a time but, in this case, that technique may not be the best. Do you have the bracket fully tightened around the axle tube? It will move forward as you tighten it. Also do you have the banana bracket slid fully towards the center of the axle so it butts up to the cast part. If it's out toward the wheel that will use up length in the arm you are having trouble with.

[rmiller64]

Shannon

Here are better instructions from the Breeze website for installation of the bracket. But to answer your concern you drill a new hole as pictured here.

http://www.breezeautomotive.com/images/pdf/3-Link-Banana-Bracket-Installation.pdf

[Pirate]

Shannon,

Sorry about that. Yeah that hole can be off quite a bit mine was pretty close but I did have to drill it out. Just get a large grade 8 washer for the big hole.

Chris

[Holgate]

Hi all. Thanks for the guidance. Drilled new hole and am all set, as you said I'd be. Was just concerned because the holes were SO far off...but it's no problem really. Got the rear end installed yesterday. (Those lower control arms were a bit of a fight, too!) Feel like I'm on a roll now :D Thanks again!

Shannon