Classic Ford Mustang 3-Link Rear Suspension Installation - The Buck Stops Here

Back on the workbench, the Watts linkage bellcrank is installed onto the rear crossmember. Here the links are installed onto the bellcrank using white grease at every juncture to eliminate resistance and noise.

With the Watts linkage attached, the rear crossmember is lifted into position in the car.

The required holes in the floorpan are made for the fasteners that reinforce the shock mounting area.

Back at the workbench, the rear axle housing is prepared. New U-bolts are installed over the freshly painted axlehousing. Next the lower shock brackets seen here are attached to the axle housing. This elaborate bracket receives the lower end of the coilover shock absorber, the Watts linkage ends, and the rear trailing arms.

On the rear of the car, these special spacers are used to locate the upper end of the Koni coilover shock assembly. It's a snug fit designed to allow no lateral movement.

The rear crossmember is shown installed onto the car with the coilover shocks in place. Any movement of the Watts linkage bellcrank would interfere with the fuel-pickup arrangement as it is now, so the location for the fuel line at the aftermarket tank will have to be changed. The project is now ready for the rear axlehousing.

Two Autoworks technicians install the axle-housing into the car. One holds the housing steady while the other completes attachments at the lower shocks.

Once again, the shock is located by two spacers of differing thicknesses. Here, the long spacer is in place while the thinner spacer is in hand.

Once the lower spacer is centered over the opening, a plastic mallet is used to drive the bolt through the assembly. It will be capped with a nylon locknut.

The outer ends of the Watts link assembly are lubed and installed into position on the lower shock bracket.

Once centered in the opening, the large 11/42-inch bolt is easily installed. It will also be capped with a nylon collared lock nut.