Adjustable Panhard Bars

[SCOTI]

Why don't companies make the adjustable panhard bars easier to adjust?

It would seem if the bars were made w/LH & R/H threaded bushings on each end (like a super long tie-rod), you could simply turn the bar one way to make it longer; the other to make it shorter.

That would be much easier than having to take the bolt out, prying the bushing out of its bracket, adjusting the length of the bar (hoping you got it right), moving the rear end left or right however much that's required, & re-installing the bar.

[LONGHAIR]

It must have something to do with cost? The shift linkage on most Harleys with foreward controls is the same way. They are not the only one, just the quickest I could think of........seems that a lot of things are that way.

[SCOTI]

Sure, it would add to the cost.

The way I see it. . . ..... you already have a RH urethane bushed threaded rod end, so the added cost would be an additional LH threaded bung & the cost difference of the standard bushing/housing vs a second LH threaded rod end.

I would say 20-30 bucks more for a bar that didn't require all the extra work involved when trying to center the rear end would be money well spent.

[bedsled71]

i agree.. i hated adjusting mine, i have a 2 link and i had one made to go from link to link and i thought it would be one right one left but nope!

[jlaird]

Scoti, I would think that most companies see the "adjustable" panhard bar as a "set it and forget it" type of thing. For me, the adjustment comes into play after I install it and realize I'm off a bit left or right, so at that time I make my adjustment and I don't touch it again.

[lowrollin70gmc]

With only one threaded rod, it is impossible for it to lengthen/shorten on accident. With a double threaded rod, you can have the lock nuts jiggle loose and possibly have the rod twist and put the rear out of alignment. Unlikely, but possible.

I have a homemade bar and it's only single adjustable, set it and forget it.

[SCOTI]

I've got an adjustable bar so I'm well versed on the "set it & forget it" theory. But..... I remember well that while setting it I had to pry the bushing out of the bracket a few times because 2 or 3 turns of the adjusting end wasn't enough. Each time, I remember fighting the rear end trying to get it shifted over 1/8".... no more, no less. It was lot's of fun.

I just started playing w/the 'new' set-up & while trying to center the rear w/the frame I remembered what a pain in the arse it was.

The double adjustable wouldn't be any worse than a tie-rod. You could dbl jam nut it if you were worried I suppose.

[special-K]

I think it is to keep it in adjustment with no accidental movement.Companies like ECE are tiny compared to GM and with aftermarket "elective" parts there`s a liability issue.It`s bad enough for aftermarket companies that make parts copied off factory designs.It`s your inconvenience vs their liability.I wonder why they can`t make a rigid "factory-like" panhard bar for a given drop.At least the most common 6".All these trucks were fine with a "set" bar.Wouldn`t all 6" drops use the same length bar?

[leftcoast66]

I think its cuz it'd be easy and the projects which could be easy, usually never are.
That would help so much if they had done that, make life a heck of a lot easier on all of us.

[Ram-Man]

I totally agree with you on this SCOTI. I got mine from cpp on last week and that was the first thing that came to my mind when I slapped it on. It seems odd to me also that you have to drop it out on one end to adjust it. I dont think a jiggle loose would be an issue if it was like a tie end where you could adjust it in place. I would rather have the the trac bar fall off rather than a tie rod end fall off.