Hi - I'm busy installing the cortina axle into the chassis.

I find that the axle is about 2mm off perpendicular to the centre line of the chassis. Is this enough to worry about and cause the car to noticeably crab or is it OK.

If not I will shim the brackets slightly before welding in or is there a better way of dealing with the problem.

I think the problem is with the location of the M1&2 tubes but will spend some time swopping around the trailing arms in case that helps.

I wouldn't worry, those who build IRS have more movement in the bushes than this!

I have an idea on this one and have seen it in action. Basically you make the holes in one of the axle brakets larger than they need to be. Then you assemble the whole shooting match with thick washers/3mm plate with the correct size bolt hole in it. Measure up the axle and move the clearance side to suit, tighten the bolts and recheck alignment, stich weld the washers/plates. Dismantle and mass weld the washers/plates. Jobs a good'un.
I've seen them do it to align the axles on an artic trailer.

Thanks for the feedback - I have in the meantime decided to re-make my brackets to one solid one each side with additional holes every 22mm vertically to allow for adjusting ground clearance in the future whilst keeping trailing arms parallel. So I will make the one bracket 2 mm deeper than the other to allow for the problem. However I will bare in mind your big hole solution if needed when final suspension setup is done after completion.