Ridetech 18988099 - Manual (Page 2)

350 S. St. Charles St. Jasper, In. 47546
Ph. 812.482.2932 Fax 812.634.6632
www.ridetech.com
TRIANGULATED 4 LINK INSTALLATION
1. If you are working on a finished vehicle with a leafspring suspension, consider leaving the leafs in
until the four link is installed. This will avoid chasing the rearend around the shop during installation
and will preset the location of the rearend. Be sure to double check that the rearend is centered in
the car both side to side and front to back.
2. If you are starting from scratch, set the vehicle up at a comfortable working height and place the
rearend under the car at ride height. Keep in mind that with an air ride system, you will be able to
drop the car approx. 4” from this height by deflating the system.
3. Center the rearend side to side in relation to the frame. This is usually done by measuring from the
frame to the wheel mounting or bearing flange of the rearend and making these measurements
equal.
4. Center the rearend in the wheel openings. The rough position should be centered in the wheel
openings, but the final adjustment should make sure that the rearend is square to the frame and that
the distance between the axle centerlines [front to rear] are equal on each side of the car.
5. The pinion angle should be roughly set at level with the frame. This will allow you enough
adjustment to fine tune the pinion angle when the installation is complete.
6. Steps 3,4, and 5 may have to be double checked and repeated to ensure the rearend is correctly
placed under the car. When you are satisfied with the placement, make sure the rearend won’t move
during installation. [We tack ours to the jackstands.]
6. When the rearend is correctly placed, the lower bracket /bar assembly can be placed. The 4 link kit
can be installed with the lower bars under the frame or outside the frame. To determine the proper
location, assemble the lower axle bracket, lower bar and the lower frame bracket together and place
the lower axle bracket against the axle tube. Assemble the bars with no more than 1/2” of thread
showing on the shaft. This will allow for final adjustment. With the lower bar level with the car,
determine the best location for the lower frame bracket. Make that decision now because that will
determine the side to side location of the lower axle brackets. To place the lower bars under the
frame, the lower frame bracket must be trimmed. The “wings” of these brackets will be cut off and the
bracket can be placed under the frame. [Be sure to check ground clearance.]
7. When the lower frame bracket location has been determined, tack them into place. [Don’t weld
fully yet]