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Panhard soon?

DieselWarrior

DieselWarrior

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I am in the early stages of examining my truck for a Panhard bar. Ive done the research and I am convinced... I NEED ONE, along with... a gizillion other new parts, but the steering and responsive is jacked up horrible.

Depending on what I decide, Ill post it here.

Andrew
 
More details please. Why do you think you NEED a panhard?

What is your suspension and steering setup?
 
MTBLAZER89 said:
More details please. Why do you think you NEED a panhard?

What is your suspension and steering setup?
Click to expand...

Even with a leaf spring suspension, a Panhard/track bar will virtually eliminate lateral play in the front axle, making a significant contribution to "good road manors" for DailyDrivers, such as mine.

My current suspension is stock front leafs with 4" blocks, which is *NOT* supposed to be there but was installed by one of the POs. Steering is stock.

Plans are new Tuff Country front springs after I install my XJ/Cherokee intermediate/lower steering shaft.

I also will be getting a raised steering arm in 2 days to install.

After all the updates/upgrades is when the actual layout and tackup of a Panhard bracket and bar will be done.

Google leaf spring and panhard bar, theres even some threads here at CK5, all reviews of the improvements are refereed to as "night and day".

The Panhard bar I plan to build will have "quick disconnects" instead of nuts and bolts, so if I want to let the "flex hang out" without any hinder, she can... However there are a LOT of vehicles on the trails with Panhard bars installed and not disconnected.

http://www.google.com/images?q=panhard%20bar%204x4&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1440&bih=736





This is a good read, even references leaf spring setups...
http://4x4mecca.com/forum/tech-tuesdays/3474-tech-tuesday-panhard-bar-track-bar.html


Andrew
 
So you think the blocks aren't the cause?

I understand the necessity of a panhard in some cases but with a 4" lift I (and 99% of people with the exact same setup) feel a panhard is unnecessary. I daily drove my truck for many years and never even considered it as something I needed.
 
I think the drag link not being level is a cause, I think the rag joint is a cause and I think the blocks are a major cause, which is why all that needs to be replaced.

After such time, I will evaluate weather I feel one might be beneficial. Then again, its going to be a bolt on affair so if it sux arse, I can just take it off. :thumb:

I really think, by feedback of other owners of similar/same trucks, it will be worth the investment of time. I only need some steel and some time under the truck.

Andrew
 
I agree that a panhard definitely helps on road handling, and I hope you are going to change one thing at a time. Without any steering correction and a 4" lift in addition that lift being blocks there is no way your truck will steer straight at all, it will wander all over the place.

I actually know this for a fact because my neighbor had the exact same setup on a blazer he bought. Trust me on this just replacing the blocks with leaves and getting some sort of steering correction on will be a night and day difference.

Another thing you may want to check for is to see if your steering box is loose due to cracks or otherwise.

You may find after doing this stuff it is fine to drive. Pahnards don't help every rig. All my friends who have bought yjs over the years have ended up taking theirs off. I have taken several off myself and the handling difference is almost nil

If you do build one post it up I plan on doing one someday soon but it is basically to stop my shackles from flexing when I am in the rocks
 
this is like killing a mosquito with a SABO round... way overthinking this.... replace the cr*p that's in there with proper components and go from there... you'd be better off going x-over waaaaaay before thinking of a panhard....
 
guess i had that coming..... :haha:


you know what I mean..... custom panhard install when your running blocks and push/pull...... problem is alot closer to home....
 
ryoken said:
guess i had that coming..... :haha:


you know what I mean..... custom panhard install when your running blocks and push/pull...... problem is alot closer to home....
Click to expand...
Yeah when I saw Eric's comment I just couldn't resist, but I do understand the idea. :grin:
 
jms said:
Negative. Drag link on a push-pull steering should be parallel to the front part of the leaf spring.
Click to expand...


This is true. A completely level draglink on push pull will cause the same characteristics that too much of an angle causes. Ask me how I know wait I'll just tell you. I ran a raised steering arm (which was downright enough of a correction) and a drop pitman arm. It sucked.

That being said a panhard bar on leaf springs has always been something I've been against. If the suspension is properly built, the steering is in proper geometry,and you have good bushings and proper length shackles there is 0 reason for one.

Guys add panhards to leaf spring setups with crossover steering because the crossover directly trys to push the axle to the side and the panhard bar counter acts this. Honestly if you truthfully need a panhard bar on a leafspring setup you should have hydro assist which would totally negate the need for a panhard bar because now your moving your tires off the axle rather than the frame which eliminates he play the springs can add.
 
Stomis said:
Guys add panhards to leaf spring setups with crossover steering because the crossover directly trys to push the axle to the side and the panhard bar counter acts this.
Click to expand...

That makes a lot of sense, along with a lot of what Ive read here.

However, for all those saying to fix the steering/suspension stuff before I do a Panhard bar or consider one, please scroll back... I already said that was my plan. :thumb:

Andrew
 
DieselWarrior said:
That makes a lot of sense, along with a lot of what Ive read here.

However, for all those saying to fix the steering/suspension stuff before I do a Panhard bar or consider one, please scroll back... I already said that was my plan. :thumb:

Andrew
Click to expand...

I think it may have sounded like we were hammering you, but its just opinions and we are just trying to be helpful.

Get to fixin and report back, you also may want to consider going to a crossover steering type setup.
 
blazinzuk said:
I think it may have sounded like we were hammering you, but its just opinions and we are just trying to be helpful.
Click to expand...

Loosely, this translates to: Ditch the front lift blocks NOW. :D
 
jms said:
Loosely, this translates to: Ditch the front lift blocks NOW. :D
Click to expand...

Its only a matter of money.... as SOON as I have it, the blox are GONE. Im headed here in a minute to a local store and get a price on some front springs, I swear he said $120/ea, gonna check who makes them... Anyone BUT RoughCountry is my pick. :doah:
 
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