What is the bar in the rear suspension that connects the frame to the axle and is supposed to help keep the frame and axle more rigid? and why dont our trucks have them? ...sorry its been bugging me.
Panhard bar. Usually real axle setups with control arms have these, like early Celicas. Leaf spring suspensions are located by the leaf springs, and don't need these under normal conditions.
With a live axle you have to have something to keep it located centered in the chassis. With control arms they usually point forward, so leverage pulls them left / right. The panhard bar keeps the axle locked at a certain point in the chassis, although it has a small arc to it since it moves in an arc around the chassis mount point. Are you thinking about adding one or is this for something other than a truck?
awesome pic. nope no traction bar just want something that can work like a panhard bar/4 link, which is preferably a bolt on or minimal welding.
Just copy the one seth posted, with his permission of course. Sounds exactly what you are looking for. I dont see how it will help much with a leaf spring setup though. Might stop some body roll but... nah i dunno.
What is it you are looking to achieve? A panhard bar is meant to keep your axle centered side to side. Leaf springs also do this. I have a friend with a panhard on his leaf spring car, it cut his travel in half due to binding.
I think he wants a panhard bar to achieve better handling, but is failing to recognize that its not ment for a leaf spring setup. I think. Could be wrong.
The only factory leaf spring panhard combo I can think of is on the front of the Ford f250 and 350. Maybe some other large trucks too, but this is only to control axle placement under such a large load. I don't think it would help the handling of our trucks at all other than to stiffen up the ride. Unless the bushings are shot on the leaf packs, there isn't much side to side play in our live axles.
Ya the front of the Fords have a panhard along with the leafs because they have a 1500 lb motor above them, and when turning everything wanted to push because the load was so large. Much different on the rear of a truck. If you are looking for more side to side stability, start with some new bushings, maybe even poly ones. That will make a big difference. Leaf springs get there rigidity in lateral location from their solid connection to the axle and the frame. Replacing the bushings and maybe running a beefier shackle will firm things up. If you are having wheel hop and looking to get rid of it, a traction bar is what you want. If you are looking for less body roll, then a larger front anti-roll bar is where you want to start. Then maybe add a small rear anti-roll bar. I've read some of your other questions, and it is very hard for me to decipher what you are looking for in each post. Not sure if I am the only one.
Haha just wanted to get some info on it since I wasn't sure exactly what it did and what it was used for. Im trying to decrease body roll. I know about sway bars. But I think ill just replace the bushings on the leafs. Thanks for the info guys.
Sway bars are for body roll, panhard bar just doesnt make sense with leafs, it would bind like someone else said in this thread. I was talking to a buddy about lifting my 97 pathfinder and with the panhard bar it would shift the axle over slightly if there isnt an adjustable panhard bar added. interesting fact my 83 corolla is 4 link with a panhard bar but no swaybar.
Yeah from looking at the pics i had a feeling the panhard bar would bind/limit rear suspension travel.
