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I know that the other cars use a panhard bar to locate the rear. On the L body there isn't one. Looking at the two axles they appear to be similar. What makes the L body different from the other cars so that it doesn't need the panhard bar? I searched and didn't find any threads on this subject. Thanks in advance.
the rear axle design is totally different. there isn't room for a straight beam rear axle like all the other cars have.
Both axles attach at the frame with a single bushing on each side. What locates the L body axle in the car side to side? Is it that the arms are angled that attach to the frame and that keeps it located with no need for the panhard bar?
Pretty much. There's also the fact that the L-body trailing arms are heavy boxed units as opposed to the K-based ones being stamped flat. Without the panhard bar, those trailing arms would fold on the first turn.
If you look under GM J-bodies from the '80s and '90s, they are very similar to the L-bodies.
Tight bushings are important, obviously. As mine wore the wheels developed interference with the wheel wells but only when cornering hard.
Looking at the k-based wagon I have the rear axle is thin but there is a solid bar that runs inside the stamped metal. Does that function as the sway bar? Does it provide the torsional stiffness that the l-bodie's thicker stampings do? I thought the panhard bar was only to locate the axle in the car and limit the side to side motion? Good information, thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by supercrackerbox
YES, the tube inside is the factory swaybar. On some cars it's solid, some are hollow.Quote:
Looking at the k-based wagon I have the rear axle is thin but there is a solid bar that runs inside the stamped metal. Does that function as the sway bar?