MK5 with 3 link

[Higgybulin]

Hey everyone, has anybody ordered an MK5 with a 3 link setup? Just wondering as I am having a bit of a clearance issue at the panard bar bracket. As of now, it looks like I will have to cut the corner off the LCA bracket and weld a piece back in on an angle.
Higgy
222063 222064

[Jeff Kleiner]

Sorry Higs, my Mk5 is IRS. I've done 3 link on a Gen 3 Coupe, which I would expect to be the same and had no issues, but apparently things are different. :confused:

Jeff

[rponfick]

Just looked at mine and it is close. I think I had to tighten the bolt from the bolt end as I don't think I could turn the nut and just held nut in place with an open-end wrench.
Can you tilt the axle with the short upper link to get some more room?
Good luck.
Ralph

[Higgybulin]

Just looked at mine and it is close. I think I had to tighten the bolt from the bolt end as I don't think I could turn the nut and just held nut in place with an open-end wrench.
Can you tilt the axle with the short upper link to get some more room?
Good luck.
Ralph

If I tilt the axle, the pinion angle starts to get out of whack and the banana bracket gets super close to the arm on the panard bracket that goes up to the passenger side. There also has to be room between that panard bolt/LCA bracket for the rear end to travel. My ride height is basically set and rear end is centered. I have about 3/8" of thread showing on the ends of the panard bar, with the nuts run all the way to the big end of the heims.
Higgy

[michael everson]

I would send those pics to the FFR techs and see if they have answers. Seems awful close.
Mike

[Higgybulin]

I would send those pics to the FFR techs and see if they have answers. Seems awful close.
Mike

Mike, can you text me when you have a minute?
Higgy

[CW_MI]

I will definitely be following this. My completion date for my Mk5 with 3 link is beginning of Jan. , hopefully this gets worked out by then.

[Higgybulin]

Just looked at mine and it is close. I think I had to tighten the bolt from the bolt end as I don't think I could turn the nut and just held nut in place with an open-end wrench.
Can you tilt the axle with the short upper link to get some more room?
Good luck.
Ralph

Ralph, can you post a couple pics? Thanks
Higgy

[shaneunger]

The bolt looks pretty close on mine too, I flipped it around so I'd get clearnance, but now I'm wondering if once the suspension is compressed if it will be enough.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=222085&d=1764081359

[Higgybulin]

The bolt looks pretty close on mine too, I flipped it around so I'd get clearnance, but now I'm wondering if once the suspension is compressed if it will be enough.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=222085&d=1764081359
I see what you did, no way to get that bolt out though. Does a nut fit in the space that the bolt head is now sitting?
Higgy

[shaneunger]

> no way to get that bolt out though

I'm able to get it out, might not be clear from that angle but I could if I needed to

> Does a nut fit in the space that the bolt head is now sitting

nope, that's why I had to flip it

[Higgybulin]

> no way to get that bolt out though

I'm able to get it out, might not be clear from that angle but I could if I needed to

> Does a nut fit in the space that the bolt head is now sitting

nope, that's why I had to flip it

Mine doesn't t even have enough space for the bolt head. Does the panard bracket that comes down from the frame taper out to the left on yours?
Higgy
222090

[shaneunger]

looks the same as yours. I do notice you have some threads exposed on your bar. have you tried adjusting it to get yourself some more clearance?

[Higgybulin]

looks the same as yours. I do notice you have some threads exposed on your bar. have you tried adjusting it to get yourself some more clearance?

My rear end is centered, what does your 3rd line look like? Is it level?
Higgy
222092

[shaneunger]

Mine is still up on the dolly, so I won't try to get it level until its sitting on its tires. Looking at it now, I imagine it'll be close to level when on the ground - the right side will come up when the suspension is compressed
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=222091&d=1764088263

[Higgybulin]

Yea, your upper link is the one I mean. It is basically level now, when you put the weight of the car on it, it won't be.
222094

[Todd Baumann]

Ours at the Build School hits also but what we did do alleviate that is to add four washers under the head of the bolt but you could use a shorter bolt to get the clearance that way also otherwise, if you use the standard bolt included in the kit, it will bottom out and hit the other portion of the lower shock mount
I just got done talking with Travis at FFR so he is aware of the current problem now
Watch out on the bolt to the upper link to the frame there also if the bug turns just right it can get wedged also
Todd

[Higgybulin]

Ours at the Build School hits also but what we did do alleviate that is to add four washers under the head of the bolt but you could use a shorter bolt to get the clearance that way also otherwise, if you use the standard bolt included in the kit, it will bottom out and hit the other portion of the lower shock mount
I just got done talking with Travis at FFR so he is aware of the current problem now
Watch out on the bolt to the upper link to the frame there also if the bug turns just right it can get wedged also
Todd

It's not just that the bolt is long, there is no room for a nut or the head of the bolt between the panard bracket and the Trac lock bracket. I have been communicating with Travis as well.
Higgy

[Todd Baumann]

Understood our car was the first 3 link and we have clearance to the nut the bolt is too long for us

[shaneunger]

Ours at the Build School hits also but what we did do alleviate that is to add four washers under the head of the bolt but you could use a shorter bolt to get the clearance that way also otherwise, if you use the standard bolt included in the kit, it will bottom out and hit the other portion of the lower shock mount
I just got done talking with Travis at FFR so he is aware of the current problem now
Watch out on the bolt to the upper link to the frame there also if the bug turns just right it can get wedged also
Todd

Can you say a little more about the upper link bolt here Todd? Where can it get wedged?

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=222127&d=1764194812

In you past expereinces with FFR, if there is an issue with the frames do they help cutomers that have already bought the kit?

[rponfick]

Ralph, can you post a couple pics? Thanks
Higgy

I am still trying to master this operation, as I am old.

[Todd Baumann]

On our car the bolt and nut on the front mount, the nut was very tight and if it rotated just right one of the points would wedge.