Every change from stock has a good and bad side.

[Accelo]

I recently changed out my panhard bar to an adjustable one as my truck is lowered. So far so good. Today I was going through all the suspension and tightening the bolts and found there is no way to tighten the bolts as delivered.
The corners of the bolt flats hit on the weld. This is the same on both sides. As they get tight you can't turn them any longer. It's so close a thin wall socket will not fit.

Maybe I will be able to use a washer to move the nut out beyond the weld? I will have to look closer tomorrow to confirm the bolt is long enough for the added washers.
Or possible I will be able to use a hollow head cap screw. The package didn't come with either. Ship it and forget it. For a $132 one should be able to install it. Made in the USA. The welds are nice!

I attempted to Contact POL. Went through the whole process and wrote a nice letter. If you don't have the invoice number you get dumped and your work junked.
Anyway, I am including some pictures for your entertainment.

[pjmoreland]

That would annoy me. The Moroso oil pan I have on my current engine has a similar issue where some of the bolt heads are too close to the main body of the oil pan for a socket to fit.

[indymachinist]

How big is the bolt? A socket head cap screw may be the best option here.

I'm surprised they would have a design flaw like that.

[special-K]

Yeah, aftermarket companies are weak on the R&D end compared the OEM engineering. OEM works it out or it doesn't happen. Aftermarket is good enough to put out there to sell, and hopefully to use

[Getter-Done]

Wow

That is Sad that they would charge so much for a Product that you have to make accommodations to make it work.

As stated above, SHCS is the answer to their poor design flaw.

Fastenal link: https://www.fastenal.com/product/Fas...=Top%20Sellers

[geezer#99]

For those tight spots I’ve used crowfoot wrenches like these.



https://www.toolsid.com/crowfoot-wrenches.html

[Accelo]

geezer#99
Just so you know, I was able to tighten the bolt with a open end wrenches. One wrench one each side. It was impossible to get the bolt closer than 1/8" to the flat part of the metal.

[sick472]

I can't believe it! Are you the fist beta tester, or have they received no feedback from previous users? Made in the USA, I'm embarrassed....that's weak! You should always be able to get a box wrench or a socket on a bolt, let alone being able to tighten it all the way down.

At least the SHCS fix is a valid one.

[72c20customcamper]

Do you have a picture of the nut side? May be the picture but there appears to be an angle to the mount. Might be made to tighten the nut while holding the head?

[pjmoreland]

I wouldn't be surprised if the person who designed it intended it to be used with a Socket Head Cap Screw, but the contracted manufacturer ended up supplying it with a Hex Head bolt.

[Accelo]

Update.
The web reply gave me no indications that the email had been sent. Just the error that the order number was required. Today I received a response from support@performanceonline.com asking for pictures. Their was no method to add them to the web inquiry.

The back side is a mirror of the front "pictured side." It can't be tightened with out hitting the weld either.

I will follow-up with any information I receive from Performance Online.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Accelo

The back side is a mirror of the front "pictured side." It can't be tightened with out hitting the weld either.

I take back my comment about the SHCS then. Bummer. Time to do some grinding on the nut and bolt head?

[sick472]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I take back my comment about the SHCS then. Bummer. Time to do some grinding on the nut and bolt head?

A SHCS could still be used so long as the nut can get flush against the steel without sitting on the weld right? Just turn the socket head until tight while the nut is kept from turning by the weld...like a trap-nut.

[BASE]

A thick washer with a flat spot ground on one side might help too. I think they owe you a nice bottle of booze or something for that one though.

[Big Kev-O]

They asked me for photos when I had an issue with their heavy duty c-notch. I sent a picture with a ruler showing the 3/8” gap between the frame and the notch. Jackass tech support told me to crank down on the bolts until the gap closed. No thanks, not going to bend my frame to line up with their junk product. Be prepared for them to offer you a DIY solution for their lack of quality control.

I have learned my lesson trying to save money with parts from POL & CPP. Porterbuilt & NoLimit cost more but their parts are superior. My PBFab track bar is primo.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Accelo]

Everyone, Thanks for the feedback.
I now have several solutions to repair their issue.

I did hear back for them, so they get some credit for that.
First solution was to blame the installer. "Turn the nut and the head of the bolt is captured, designed that way." LOL I explained I thought of that as I have made my living as a mechanic for 40 years.
Then they wanted me to send pictures, I did. Then send more picture of the nut side. I did, but also explained it has the same issue as the front in my email. Will see what tomorrow brings.
Maybe I just like seeing if they care, even though I know they don't.
I will likely get a 5/8 HH cap screw tomorrow. However, it is fine thread so I suspect that will be difficult to find so I will get a nut also if I need to change the pitch.

[57taskforce]

We have a real good mom and pop specialty fastener store here that I use for all of my oil and gas stuff at work. I’d be happy to see if they have what you need in fine thread if you can’t find it local. I’m sure it won’t cost much as we do a lot of business with them.

[Accelo]

57, thanks and I appreciated the offer.
However, I think I have a solution. I manufactured a spacer out of an heavy flat washer. See included pictures.
It will give the bolt enough clearance to turn as it will now clear the weld.
Still waiting to see what the manufacture's solution is going to be. LOL
However, I know better than to wait for an answer.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by Accelo

57, thanks and I appreciated the offer.
However, I think I have a solution. I manufactured a spacer out of an heavy flat washer. See included pictures.
It will give the bolt enough clearance to turn as it will now clear the weld.
Still waiting to see what the manufacture's solution is going to be. LOL
However, I know better than to wait for an answer.

I like It

I had an Idea that was very Similar.

I held back Thinking POL would take care of this.

If you take DOM tubing and machine a Flat on one of the sides.
Then Square the ends up, For a Fancy Washer

[Steeveedee]

Yeah, I bought a disc brake conversion kit from them. Missing and damaged parts with no resolution, after repeated emails, and even PMs here. I guess if you make enough money selling things, you don't have to take care of the problems.

[special-K]

Could you grind a nut to fit the weld, weld that up, and use a socket head bolt? I guess the weld on that side might need some grinding so a modified washer can lay flat. So bothersome. So wrong. I make mistakes like that on home made projects sometimes, and it means make another one right!