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Hot Rods Rear Panhard bar length on a roadster

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by hotrodtom, Apr 17, 2016.

  1. hotrodtom
    Joined: Apr 14, 2005
    Posts: 231

    hotrodtom
    Member

    Hey guys --
    I have a '32 with P&J radius rods and coilovers in the back. The shop that built my rolling chassis added a panhard bar from the top of the Ford 8" case to the right frame rail, basically from the center of the car over to the side. A few weeks ago a buddy who's been telling me what's wrong with my cars for sixty (!) years crawled under and told me it would be more effective if it were longer, like attached near the hub or the radius rod bracket on the opposite side. I've been driving it around town for a few years and haven't noticed any particular problem, but I respect his opinion since he has had a lot more experience than I do in setting up cars to handle better. I do like to be able to lean on it a little bit coming out of a turn. Any ideas?
    Fearless
     
  2. longer is better...but if it ain't broke don't fix it
     
  3. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    The longer the panhard bar is, the shallower the suspension arc is, minimising laterally movement.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2016
    cretin likes this.
  4. I had a P&Js bar as you describe, bolted to the far side of the third member (9"). Worked fine. I'm guessing that P&Js is not known for building crap.
     

  5. thirtytwo
    Joined: Dec 19, 2003
    Posts: 2,639

    thirtytwo
    Member

    It's a give and take ,as stated above the longer the panhard the smaller the arc but the short one you have is effective with a limited travel of a hot rod ...the reason they are made the way they are ,is to be able to run exhaust up and over the axle
     
    hotrodtom likes this.
  6. Mowogler
    Joined: Nov 18, 2011
    Posts: 41

    Mowogler
    Member
    from UK, Surrey

    With radius rods and coilovers you should be just fine as long as the axle doesn't hit anything during travel. You'll be getting a tiny amount of rear steer effect but if you think about what that equates to in terms of steering input it's negligible. I used to have an OT Mgb gt v8 that regularly ate the rear axle mounting rubbers. I knew it was time to tighten them / change them when I came off throttle and the car would change direction. As long as you don't notice the steering effect then I don't think you have a problem.
     
    hotrodtom likes this.
  7. Hackerbilt
    Joined: Aug 13, 2001
    Posts: 6,254

    Hackerbilt
    Member

    So, is Mr Experience offering to do the job of setting it up to handle better?
    If not...tell him to take a hike.
    He IS correct...but unless you're driving it like you stole it all the time or you are personally finding a handling issue in driving the car normally, it isn't worth tearing it down.
     
    hotrodtom likes this.
  8. hotrodtom
    Joined: Apr 14, 2005
    Posts: 231

    hotrodtom
    Member

    Thanks, guys... I figured about like everybody says. (BTW, P&J did not do the rolling chassis.) So I'm not particularly interested in trying to fix something that ain't broke -- yet. Thanks for the input.
    Fearless
     

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