new panhard bar !!!

**hamburger68** · 08-11-2007, 01:13 PM

so, i got this really good deal on a non adjustable edelbrock panhard bar. 94 euros shipped, wich is amazing for an import part!

put it in today, took less than an hour (i really took my time). the car seems to handle slightly better and the rear seems quieter somehow.

but: the rear sits about half an inch to the left. is that in acceptable range?

i really don't know how it was before, never looked, but i think it was slightly off, too...

**Mr. Luos** · 08-11-2007, 01:14 PM

Is the car lowered?

**hamburger68** · 08-11-2007, 01:36 PM

no, it isn't, that's why i was bringing this up at all!
i run the stock springs with bilstein hd shocks.

**Mr. Luos** · 08-11-2007, 01:42 PM

Strange.

Is a tire sticking out further on one side and that is how you noticed??

**hamburger68** · 08-11-2007, 01:56 PM

yep, left tire is sticking out about half an inch more. but maybe my bumper is crooked? after all, it is made by tupperware...

**Mr. Luos** · 08-11-2007, 02:04 PM

By chance did you line up the stocker next to the new one before installing??

They should be the same length.

**hamburger68** · 08-11-2007, 03:22 PM

i held the new one next to the old one when it was still on the car. seemed right, but i didn't compare them when they were both out.
but as i said, maybe the rear end was out of center before, i just might not have noticed.

**Mr. Luos** · 08-11-2007, 03:34 PM

Could be.
Keep an eye on it.

If something seems out of place, compare the stocker to the new one. Pain in the ass, but at least it isn't a 4-5 hour job.

**hamburger68** · 08-11-2007, 03:53 PM

yeah, i'll probably measure them both, see what comes out. funny thing, i actually had to push the rear end about a third of an inch to the right to get the lower end bolt in. weird!

**Y2KPewterSS** · 08-11-2007, 04:47 PM

Its not uncommon for the rearend to be uncentered from the factory. Even if you aren't lowered, its usually a pretty good idea to buy the adjustable panhard so you can center the rearend yourself.

**hamburger68** · 08-11-2007, 04:57 PM

well, now i figure it might have been better... but i got such a good deal on this one, and i don't really mind the little shift. i was just surprised.

**01blackbird** · 08-13-2007, 06:57 PM

Matching up the pan hard bars is definately your next step. Not only in length end to end, but also the mounting holes themselves should line up very closely. I purchased a lakewood non-adjustable bar back a few years ago and the holes were off by 1/2" compared to the factory one which shifted my rear over just like yours. 2 weeks later I replaced it with an adjustable one and it's been fine ever since.

**Talenuf** · 08-13-2007, 07:55 PM

Not intending to highjack this thread, but this question seems appropriate here... What is the best way to go about positioning the rear end when adjusting a PHB. I have an UMI adjustable PHB (not the on the car adj type). Seems like the rear end doesn't want to move side to side much when the PHB is disconnected on the adjustable end. How do you guys do it?

**01blackbird** · 08-14-2007, 07:00 PM

There are several reasons PH bars are adjustable, one is for oval track racing so you can adjust a slight off set for a left circle or right circle depending on the track. Then you could put it back to factory and drive home. Another reason is manufacturing process doesn't have to exactly match the factory spacing for lower cost. The best overall street position is to match the factory bolt holes from your orignal PH bar as close as possible. Once you do that a measurement from your quarter panel lip to the outside of the tire is usually good enough providing your car has never been in any accident. Pay close attention to your tire to inner wheel well also. One important thing to remember about changing the bar is that the aftermarket ones are much beefier and have less flex which is a big plus.

**INMY01TA** · 08-15-2007, 05:13 PM

I got a "good deal" on a non adjustable pan hard bar myself about a year ago. Turned out it was a tad shorter than my stock one and ended up with one wheel sticking out farther as well. Gave it away to someone. Will be getting an adjustable one soon. Just not sure whether I want rod end or poly.

**hamburger68** · 08-16-2007, 05:03 AM

well, finally managed to take the measures of both bars: the new one is only about 2 - 3 mm longer (measured the spacing betwen the holes), so i guess it must have been a little uneven before. oh well, never mind.
but the car handles definitely better than before. just took a (business) trip to the coast, 'bout 120 miles one way. the car runs perfectly straight and even at 130 to 150 mph on a curvy freeway, it stayed very stable and felt really comfy.