Radius rod is too long

[larrys40]

Russell,
I’ve done hundreds of A rear axles. Most of the time the radius rods can be a tight fit if you put your backing plate bolts in first .
My suggestion would be to remove the two forward upper and lower radius to housing and backing plate bolts on both sides unless you are inke having trouble with the one side. Install the forward bolt and nut at the u joint end. Leave loose. Go back to you trouble side and use a decent size line up punch and try to pull one of the leaves in the the housing holes forcing it in and when the other hole lines up tap in the respective backing plate and radius bolt.
You should be able to do this with both e brake and service plates on. Once the one bolt is lined up the other is fairly easy. You will have to tap it in as well but it should pretty much be lined up . Install castle nut and cutter key in when tight.

I do the rear and first most of the time as otherwise you are lining yourself up for a potential fight.
Not a big deal. It may seam logical to do the rear first and then the front but now you have learned why not to do it that way. Yes there are other contortions you can do to accomplish it but they too can be frustrating.
All the best
Larry Shepard