Rear End and 3-link bracket

[marlin]

Sending my rearend off to the shop to have 4 lug changed to 5, 2.73 changed to 3.55, new cover with fill and drain plugs and new clutch pak put in. This rearend is new to a MK3.1 that I am building. I have a 3-link to install and was wondering if I could have them weld on the banana bracket to the tube so they can check for warpage after the weld but during the rearend assembly or if the bracket needs to be custom fit to the frame for positioning first before welding? Obviously I'm new at this and not completely clear on the concept of how the 3-link attaches. Thanks for help and suggestions. Marlin

[Gumball]

Marlin - The three-link "banana bracket" has four bolts to secure it to the tube, as well as a bracket that runs to the flange on the differential's center section. There are also some aftermarket upper braces that run from the top of the banana bracket down to one of the upper bushings that were originally for the top links on the Mustang four-link set-up. The next step in prevention of twist of the banana bracket is to either lay a few tack, rosette, or bead welds at the edges of the bracket as it's mounted to the tube. What I did was to bolt it in place, secure the lower brace, then I just did a few 3/8" tack welds along the edge of the bracket at the tube. I'm only using the car for street driving and I don't have a mega-torque motor (347 with around 400 ft. lbs), so I don't expect any problems. The guys who drag race and/or who have gobs of torque do weld them on, though. Discuss the welding with the shop and make sure to tell them what sort of power output you're going to put through it and how you will use the car. They'll probably have some suggestions. But, the time to do the welding is now, while it's all apart and out of the car.

[CraigS]

Agreed, have them weld it and then check the housing for straightness. The arm that heads forward and bolts under the web on the side of the diff casting will locate the bracket. Tell them it is normal to work a little to get these to fit.Taking all paint off the axle tube helps and the hole in the web often needs to be redrilled to line up w/ the end of the bracket.

[marlin]

Any opinions on the VPM banana bracket support? I am not building a motor monster, 302 that may put out 350 HP? Just seems that a bracket is more forgiving in placement than welding. Sorry for the ignorance but can you define the web, or maybe a pic? Just looking for opinions trying to do it right the first time. Thanks, Marlin

[Gumball]

Here's a pic from overhead that shows the banana bracket, the lower locating brace, and the point on the flat web that is on the passenger side of the differential housing. As Craig said, I had to open up the hole that was already in the web to get the brace bolt through it.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Cables1.jpg

[marlin]

Thanks for the pic, great. Not to hijack my own thread but why did you go with 3.27? I was planning 3.55. And is that tubing covering the e-brake cable? Also looks like you choose not to weld? Marlin