Another Build Thread - My '32

[J. Robinson]

I began reassembly today. I put the truck arms on the rear axle, rolled it under the frame, and with the frame still suspended from overhead, I lowered it down and bolted the arms into the frame. Next, I installed the rear panhard bar. I put the 3-inch blocks I originally used to build the rear suspension between the frame and rear axle housing so that it is level at ride height (1st pic below).

While there is nothing else in the way, this is the perfect time to align the rear axle to the frame. A lot of people drag out jack stands and string and magnets and tape, etc., but all that crap is unnecessary if you do it now. With the rear end in place and as close to correct as you can get it with "calibrated eyeball", it's time to do some measuring. First, center the frame on the rear end by measuring from the frame rails to the backing plates (2nd pic) on both sides. Adjust the panhard bar until the two sides are equal within 1/16 inch (or less if possible). Next, measure from equal points on both ends of the rear axle to the center of the front crossmember (3rd pic). A good place to hook your measuring tape is on the wheel cylinder bleeders (if they're centered). In this case the wheel cylinders aren't installed yet, so I used the holes where they go. At the front I used the center hole in the front crossmember for my measuring spot. On other cars in the past, when there was no hole, I measured the crossmember to find the center and put a center punch mark in it. Measure both sides the same way and adjust as necessary until the two sides are equal within 1/16 inch (less if possible). Using this method assures that the car will go down the road straight, not "dog tracking", because the rear axle is perpendicular to the centerline of the car. The rear end is done; you can move on to the front next.