Hi all
just in a bit of a quandary about this
have checked and re checked the rear end of the car( build a sports car for £250) and all seems fine BUT THEN i put in the escort rear axle and size it up all seems fine BUT THEN i noticed the brackets for the shocks and measure the distance between the brackets (that are welded on the axle ) and the brackets on the top and it is only 10 and 1/2" instead of 12" OR 13" what has went wrong or should i be looking for smaller shocks

If you let the live axle droop it will hit the chassis.. this is as far as your shocks will travel. Measure the distance.. this is the length of your required shock n spring.
Now fit brackets accordingly

[Edited on 14/11/14 by johnemms]

many thanks then i need 10 and 1/2"shocks

Your limit on droop with a live axle is where it hits the bottom chassis rails.. 'clunk' oops .. paint n damage !
Droop is important for bumps n dips and cornering..
Imagine going over bumps with no droop ...?
I think there are cars with 'higher back ends' - extra 2" behind the driver to give a much longer shock travel.
Mine is the short back £250 book version ..
I did changed my brackets a little to give max droop - obviously a few mm before hitting the chassis rail ..
The best is a long shocker with good compression and droop.. however ..
with a live axle all I can say it get your brackets as far from each other as possible and only mm from hitting the bottom rail

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=188310

The best things I changed on my car after IVA were : shocks - springs & engine to a : 2.0 Zetec

[Edited on 14/11/14 by johnemms]