30-Dec-99 Modifying the Front Panhard Bar Modifying the Front Panhard Bar << Previous Article All Articles Next Article >> A minor modification was needed in the panhard department. The So-Cal batwings and panhard kit are intended for use on a '32. Because of this some modifications were made to fit the `33 frame. Mocking up the panhard bar assembly made it obvious that if placed parallel with the front axel and as horizontally level as possible it would hit the rear spring mounting U-bolts in suspension travel. Part of this is because of how low the car will sit and part is the positioning of the panhard mount on the So-Cal batwing. It was decided that if the mounting point of the bar was placed directly under the U-bolts there would be no clearance problem but we were concerned that shortening the bar might lead to a side-to-side deflection that would be unacceptable. The purpose of the panhard bar is to hold the front suspension from moving sideways on bumps and pushing on the steering arm ... the term "bump steer" is from this effect. It is very important to avoid side deflection with a cross-steer system like this one. We did some measurements and it appears that if the suspension moves vertically 3" at the panhard mount on the batwing (which is probably more than it will ever travel) the maximum side deflection will be approximately 1/32". I'm guessing and hoping this will be undetectable. To modify this we designed a mounting plate to slide on top of the spring mounting plate. It was designed so that the panhard bar should line up directly behind the axel when the car is sitting at the final ride height. The mount was clearance slightly to fit tightly to the lower U-bolt mounting plate. Two thin nylock nuts are used to lock the mounting plate in place. We cut 10 1/2" off the panhard bar and re-threaded the cut end. I have no detailed views of the bar being cut and threaded because I had a friend who works in a machine and fabrication shop for a large company do it on their equipment (on his lunch break) for me. I can't give him the credit he deserves because it could cost him his job. The company he works for does not allow the machinists to work on their own stuff. Having him do this assured me that the threads were straight and the chrome didn't chip. The bar is mounted to the front of the new mount and the rear of the batwing mount. I think it looks pretty clean, simple, and symmetrical. If this has been done before (it probably has) I haven't seen it. << Previous Article All Articles Next Article >>