TI Back Axle Questions

[Broughtons <usbroughs@domain.elided>]

(I just realized that my first post had a prohibited word in the subject
line and may be bounced. Hope this doesn't show up twice.)

We have finally re-attached the rear axle on our 1966 Giulia TI and
we've encountered something we can't figure out. Our manual tells us
that anytime the axle has been removed the trim needs to be checked.
This is the measurement between the bottom of the rubber bump stop and
the top of the axle. The manual says that this measurement should be
between 0.2 to 0.6 inches. If you don't have this measurement you are
supposed to add or remove shims from the spring. Our measurement is 4.1
inches! Before I start getting responses like "You put the axle in
upside down", let me list what we have done. We removed the axle and
replaced all of the rear suspension bushings, rear axle bearings,
rebuilt the rear brakes, and cleaned and painted the entire assembly. We
are still using the original springs. There were no shims under the
springs when we removed them, only the rubber support forms. We have not
installed the shocks yet. The other confusing item is the car sits on
the ground and looks correct. The car has no engine, transmission,
bumpers, etc. so it's a lot lighter than it would be in running
condition, and it's front end sits up a bit, but sitting on the ground,
the rear wheels look right in the wheel arches. We even loaded up weight
in the rear seat and trunk to simulate street conditions, but it only
closed the gap to about 3.25 inches. To get the trim dimension to the
manual specs, the top of the tire will disappear up into the fender well
and it will look like a lowrider! After going through what we've done,
our first thought was of course, "The manual has to be wrong". HOWEVER,
Don Black's CRH shows the trim dimension as 10 mm for a street car and
13 mm for a race setup. While we can believe that a mistake could have
been made in a shop manual, we find it hard to believe that the same
mistake was reproduced in the CRH. We think we must be overlooking
something painfully obvious or extremely subtle.

We are open to any and all suggestions. We'd really appreciate someone
with a running TI giving us their trim measurement. Until then we
remain, confused and bewildered.

Colin and Richard Broughton
Manchester, Tn
1966 Giulia TI - It can roll around again :c)

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