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Thread: Panhard Rods

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    Racer Decade Plus User 900ss's Avatar

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    Panhard Rods

    I?m trying to get me head around the idea of a single panhard rod.
    They should stop the axle from moving sideways right? But what happens when the suspension is fully compressed of extended? Say under hard acceleration or braking, surely the rod must push or pull the whole axle over to one side or the other
    Or am I missing something here

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    Pit Crew Decade Plus User THEDMAN's Avatar

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    Does it not pivot (two rods attached to a crank) on the center of the axle so it moves laterally less than standard?

    Thats the way I thought I understood it?

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    Racer Decade Plus User Willid1's Avatar

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    That's a Watts linkage.

    David

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    Pit Crew Decade Plus User THEDMAN's Avatar

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    cheers David

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    Isn't it because the panhard rod length is significantly longer than the axle travel, so the maximum sideways change in length wont be that great? Panhard rods are fixed at both ends so it must move sideways a bit, but at least its controled rather than when ever it wants to. I suppose thats the idea is it?

    Cheers
    Comper100

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    panhards make the axle move in a slight arc, watts linkages are better, but bulkier and more expensive, take your choice! lol

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    Spanner Monkey Comper100's Avatar

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    Yeah

    I'll stick with a panhard rod i think !

    Cheers
    Comper100

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    well put popup, spot on

    Steve

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    Re: Panhard Rods



    Me techie bit
    This is how I understand they work, tho I don?t know to what extent they push the axle across

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    I think me arrows the wrong way cos the body's moved n not the axle

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    If the panhard rod is near horizontal at rest and as long as possible deflection will be minimal. Suspension travel will dictate, if it is stiff and low the arc movemnet of rod will be lesser. Do a mock up with a stick and nail. Move it the expected amount and measure the offset at full travel on the end that moved.

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    Racer Decade Plus User NRspeed's Avatar

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    Mount it horizantal to ground and in line with axle center at final ride height, is the correct way to set it up before finally welding in, unless u have a adjustable one. i stand correctd if i'm wrong.

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    They do allow some movement of the axle from side to side, however this controlled movement isn't felt when driving the car,
    What it does is stops the axle deflecting to the side due to cornering loads stretching the bushes/ spring etc, that can be felt from the car when cornering hard, that's that kind of boingy rubbery feeling you may get when on the limit LOL

    They make a massive difference to the feel of the car and are a good budget modification, however a Watts Linkage is better still as it totally eliminates sideways movement on the axle.

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    Racer Decade Plus User 900ss's Avatar

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    An impossible Q to answer I'm sure but say on an average 5 linked mk2, how much side movement you talkin? 2- 5- 10mm or more?

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    When fitting a Panhard Rod, is it necessary to strengthen the boot floor on a road car ? Or am I thinking of something else where it needs work ?

    Chris

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    An impossible Q to answer I'm sure but say on an average 5 linked mk2, how much side movement you talkin? 2- 5- 10mm or more?
    If you've set your panhard rod up at the axles normal ride height, which will be somewhere near halfway on your suspensions overall travel, then you shouldn't expect more than 20mm lateral movement. Don't forget it'll push the axle out under squat, but pull it in on full drop taking your axle through a large arc.

    I wouldn't concern yourself about it too much, Escorts without a lateral brace of some description have fantastic amounts of axle float!!

    Boot floor strengthening is really a matter of preference, and what type of Panhard/Watts tower you fit. Cheaper, nastier towers just weld on, but the works-spec towers that we use even have a brace-tube which actually goes from the top of the jaw, through the chassis rail and mounts to the inner wheel arch tub, as well as big gussets and spreader-plates etc This system does not require any further boot floor strength!!

    Cheers and HTH,
    Simon

    p.s.: It may be stating the obvious, but if you're going down the 4-link route, remember that the standard leaf spring set-up must be discarded!! You'll need either slipper leaf springs (along with appropriate roller kit), or coilover dampers (along with appropriate shock absorber turrets).

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    Re: Panhard Rods

    Cheers that does help Simon, atleast now I can expect to see rub marks under the arches lol
    Tho there might be wheel offset issue here as well

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