Adjustable panhard bar - experiences

[jonnymopar]

I'm due for tires, which means it's alignment time. I've always been curious about the solid panhard bars available, formerly through Johnny, now through TurboDodgeParts. My original stock one was bent, so years ago I straightened it out and had a strip of steel welded to "box" it in. It lasted a while before it actually cracked, so I replaced it with another stock one.

My car is slightly lowered on old school MP Road Race springs, might be 3/4" at most, nothing crazy. From what I've read, significantly lowered cars can benefit from the upgraded bar.

Should I pull the trigger on it? Any experiences good or bad that you could share? If I do it, I'll want to have it in there and adjusted properly before I get the alignment taken care of.

[cordes]

How far is the axle off in the rear? If it's not bad, I would just use the stock bar. If it's way over toward the passenger side, then get, or make an adjustable bar.

I have one on CSX 42 and it's loud when it rotates around the axis of the bolts, but that's generally at low speed or when checking the wheel bearings. I don't notice it at speed as much.

[c2xejk]

The other option is fabricating one out of common parts. http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/sh...le+panhard+bar I did that for my Spirit R/T after I discovered the stock one had a curve...

[jonnymopar]

Thanks guys. It's something I'm considering much more for the strength than the adjustability. I haven't measured yet, but I don't expect the axle to be very far off with less than 1" lowering. The idea of fabricating one is interesting for sure.

[Aries_Turbo]

im going to put one of these together with these parts from speedway. The rod ends are more like stock with poly bushings in them and a steel sleeve. they are almost 1 3/8" wide so I may have to pry open the bracketry on the car a smidge as its close when i measured it today.

Also, Though the rod says its 45", its not, its actually 42".... they are 3" shorter than their advertised length as their measurement is from a rod end attached to the bar from eye to eye which is dumb. The aluminum rods in the other speedway thread are their actual length so I added 3" to the 42" bar from the other thread to make my choice.

I went with these parts because I wanted it to be steel and more like stock and just adjustable.

45 Inch Plain Steel Hod Rod Tie Rod/Drag Link Sleeve for 5/8-18 Ends
Part #: 91631-45
Qty: 1 @ $ 38.99 each
$ 38.99

Steel Jam Nut, 5/8-18 RH
Part #: 1750246
Qty: 1 @ $ 2.99 each
$ 2.99

Steel Jam Nut, 5/8-18 LH
Part #: 1750446
Qty: 1 @ $ 1.99 each
$ 1.99

Speedway Forged 4-Bar Rod End, 5/8-18 LH Thread, Zinc Plated
Part #: 91008002
Qty: 1 @ $ 20.99 each
$ 20.99

Speedway Forged Steel 4-Bar Rod End, 5/8-18 RH Thread, Straight Shank
Part #: 91008001-STR
Qty: 1 @ $ 20.99 each
$ 20.99

Brian

[cordes]

Thanks for the list. I need to make one for my white lancer still.

[csxtra]

That sounds like a good setup Brian, I went the aluminum bar and spherical rod end route from Speedway, but the threads in the aluminum bar needed to be cleaned up (required buying two taps) before being able to use it. I think the rubber bushing rod ends and steel bar setup looks like a better option and probably cheaper also.

[86Shelby]

12 years later the aluminum one I made in that thread referenced by c2xejk is still working just fine, no issues at all.

[GLHS60]

For conversation purposes, what body motion does a Panhard bar control??

Thanks
Randy

[135sohc]

Side-side motion control. It keeps the axle centered underneath the car.

[GLHS60]

Right, I was looking for a definition of that side-side motion.

Thanks
Randy

Side-side motion control. It keeps the axle centered underneath the car.