Looks like everyone "pin-pointed" the possible proplem(s). You alway have to be careful when doing changes on the Mopar rear suspension system, it may look simple and baisc but a bunch of good engineering went into it's design and operation.
Here is a link to some additional info from a racecare car chassis set-up book written by Dave Morgan.
DD


Door Slammers: The Chassis Book

The "leaf link" was designed for classes that did not allow 4 links or ladder bars. The front portion of the spring worked as the lower link, and a bar was ran on the top of the axle to the frame above the front spring mount. The axle pivoted on the shock mounts in a fashion similar to a sliding ladder bar/leaf spring setup, without the sliding.



klesteb@aol.com

Here is a link to the Shelby Mustang traction bars:
http://www.mustangsteve.com/underrides.html
It is similar to what Andrew tried to do.

klesteb@aol.com