what is backwards here? if i put the front mount on 1 way its too far from the m bar, if i put it on the other way, its too close. do i have the m bar on backwards?

Depends on R180 or R200.  Illustrations in the Suspension chapter.

Looks like that mount on front of differential needs to flip around, long portion in back.

ive turned that mount 3 times now. about to drive me nuts

I have in my notes a caution that it's possible to accidentally install the front transverse crossmember backwards (I'm talking about the big, stamped-metal piece that bolts to the underside of the vehicle and provides the mounting point for the rubber isolator block).  If you do this, it shifts the position of the mounting holes for the rubber isolator block.  Perhaps that's what you've done.  My notes apply to the crossmember for a Series 1 and they say that a flipped front crossmember will shift the fore/aft location of the isolator block by 3/4".  The crossmember design changed for the later cars, but I wouldn't be surprised if that asymmetry is still there.

The cross member can be installed either way, but the correct way puts the larger exhaust semi-circular cutout on the left side where the exhaust runs. Motorman7's picture shows the correct orientation

29 minutes ago, zKars said:

The cross member can be installed either way, but the correct way puts the larger exhaust semi-circular cutout on the left side where the exhaust runs. Motorman7's picture shows the correct orientation

OK.  And the moustache bar is installed correctly, too (oriented so that the mounting 'eyes' sit on the trailing side of the bar)... so that seems to confirm that incorrect orientation of the rubber isolator block is the culprit.

19 hours ago, Zed Head said:

Depends on R180 or R200.  Illustrations in the Suspension chapter.

it is a 180. i have the fsm but he pics there arent really clear enough. none that i could find anyhow.

1 hour ago, zKars said:

The cross member can be installed either way, but the correct way puts the larger exhaust semi-circular cutout on the left side where the exhaust runs. Motorman7's picture shows the correct orientation

that is how mine is

well i flipped the m bar around but then realized that i need to install the parking brake cables first. So, i havent tried installing the diff again. I found a good cable that i pick up this am. will try the diff again this afternoon

thanks all for the help

Edited May 1, 20168 yr by sweatybetty

19 hours ago, motorman7 said:

Looks like that mount on front of differential needs to flip around, long portion in back.

which way is your m bar?

you posted a picture of how it came out of the car in your own build thread. could be the body is not quite right.  you could take a measurement. maybe someone will take the same to compare.