How To Install A Four-Link Rear Suspension

The angle drill was also a big help on the other side, where we were able to open up the holes with a reamer bit. A slight push of the muffler to move it out of the way allowed the angle drill to easily fit. Again, it was a place where a standard drill wouldn't fit.

With the required -inch holes drilled through the framerails, the front link brackets can be installed and secured with the supplied hardware.

Bolt the sides of the front mounts and use the supplied reinforcement plates on the inner side of the rail.

Continue securing the front link bracket into place with the supplied hardware.

The installed front link brackets look like this.

The next step is to install the four links into the front link brackets. This is a lower long link and it's installed in the bracket with a supplied spacer.

With the spacer and link installed, tighten the hardware enough so the bolt protrudes through the nylon locknut, but not so much that it causes the link to bind. The nylon locknut allows the nut and bolt to stay securely tightened and also allows them to be loose enough to allow free movement in the bracket. Also, be sure that the links are installed with the adjustable ends toward the rear.

The short links install the same as the long ones, but without a spacer. Again, don't over-tighten the bolts for the short links. Otherwise, they could bind.

Here, the links are installed and ready to accept the axle.

With the rear axle in place under the car, we lowered the car over the axle to attach it to the four links.

With some grease on the bushings, the axle is attached to the links using the supplied hardware.

Install and securely tighten the links to the axle with the supplied fasteners. When adjusted, the upper (long) links will position the housing and the lower (short) links will set the pinion angle.

Begin assembly of the coilover shocks by removing the adjusting knob, which allows the threaded collars to be removed and the springs installed around the shocks.

Remove the collars and install the springs onto the shocks, then reinstall the collars. Set the collars hand-tight; the coilovers will be adjusted later when the car is taken to the alignment shop for the final settings.

Install the shocks to the axlehousing and upper crossmember mounts using the supplied bolts, spacers, and nuts. Heidts supplies diagrams to illustrate the installation and which fasteners to use.

Install the Panhard rod using the supplied bolts and nuts.

Securely tighten the Panhard rod in place. Complete the installation by reinstalling the brake lines, driveshaft, and emergency-brake cables. With the car at an alignment shop, adjust the Panhard rod to center the housing and adjust the lower links to set pinion angle.