Long story short...

When attaching my shocks...One goes in...the other is about 1/2 inch different.

With the swing arm removed sitting on the bench...and the bolts to the chain guard removed...there is a noticeable difference in height at the axle ends. You can push down on one side and make it wobble.

Should it lay flat...?

08 SG

Thanks for your input!

smat

 

Put a rod through the pivot shaft bearings and another through the axle plates and sight across them...are they parrallel? If they are its not bent!

 

From your description, I think it being bent is highly likely.

The shocks should both thread in at the same height. One should not be higher or lower than the other in the mounts.

While the welding on the swing arm can make it wobble due to variances, it should be very minor. As described above, the swing arm shaft and the axle shaft should be parallel.

 

Post a pix. Swing arm bushings good?

 

As it seems you have the swingarm off the bike then follow hog-doc's advice. With the axles in place sight along the ends of them, which should be enough to confirm if there is any misalignment.

 

I agree with Hog Doc advice on checking it. I can tell you that my last 3 harleys that I have jacked with the suspension on are off a little where you have to apply some load to get one of the bolts to go in.

 

When I put Ohlins on my Limited, I had to adjust one shock about 3/8" longer than the other for it to slide on easily. Howard @motorcycle metal said it's common.

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Not only the distance from bolt holes centers are off,
I always check and correct the vertical plane, (bottom mounts off side to side with top mounts),
with rear shocks removed, lower bike so a 12" straight edge will hit both shock bolt bosses, never found one that didn't need shims.

 

Had an accident 3 years ago...it was front end...never really checked the rear...
Fought this thing for 25k...So I picked up a good used swing arm off an 07...$112.00 (used) vs $1400 (new)
Installed new bushings and bearings and spacers and rubber mounts.
Did an alignment and back on the road!
Thanks for all the input!
smat

 

does it ride any different