So...I bought this why? (Adj. Panhard Rod)

[SlipStreamZ28]

So I bought a bunch of suspension parts at the beginning of the year. I have been slowly working on trying to fix 14 years of salt damage to the underside of the car and I am happy to say I'm almost done with it ( as far as I am going to take it this year) and getting ready to start putting the suspension components in.

I'm looking at what I bought, part of which is an adjustable panhard rod from UMI, Its a pretty nice piece, poly on one side, roto-joint on the other. but looking at it I realized that I have no idea why I bought an adjustable one, nor what I'm looking for when adjust it or what adjusting it will change on the car.

I guess I have to do some research, but I found it mildly amusing that after 6 months I just realized I have no clue why I purchased this particular model.

[OVRKILL]

Center your rear end....

[kammi10]

Center your rear end....

yep.. if you are putting on lowering springs u will need to adjust the panhard bar to center the rear end back under the car

[DETROITMUSCLE]

lowering springs or not the tolerance from GM is not great.

[SlipStreamZ28]

Thanks guys

[Gregs_gsxr]

well are you planning on selling ?

[97firehawk]

The guys at the gm dealer that I worked that do the alignments said they have seen them up to 1 inch off center from the factory on f bodys mine was half inch off after a 1/3/4 inch drop I have a ajustable bmr unit .

[SlipStreamZ28]

well are you planning on selling ?

no lol, its going on the car

[SlipStreamZ28]

Do any of you guys have a tip or two on figuring out if the rear is centered or not?

[SSTODD]

Do any of you guys have a tip or two on figuring out if the rear is centered or not?

tape a string or fishing line with a weight (plum-bob) to the fender centered right above the rear wheels, measure to the flat on each rim and compare the sides. The car must be on the ground (suspension loaded).

[97firehawk]

tape a string or fishing line with a weight (plum-bob) to the fender centered right above the rear wheels, measure to the flat on each rim and compare the sides. The car must be on the ground (suspension loaded).

This and when you hit the alinement shop they can double check for a more exact center

[Lucky SOB]

This!

Or, you can set the rear wheels on ramps if you have them to simulate the car being on the ground. This allows you to slide under the car easier to keep adjusting and measuring until it is perfect. Here's a picture of me doing this on my Trans Am...



now imagine this with the wheels on and on the ramps like above ^^^ I had to adjust mine again because I didn't have the suspension loaded

[d2harris]

Any pics of the undercarriage repair so far?

[SlipStreamZ28]

Sure!

5752362629_c519d5ef01.jpg Tossed a seat in so I can take it for some welding

5752363559_d221d96b93.jpgPassenger interior floor pan

5752839198_1bca25d0ce.jpgThe stuff Im just not going to get to this year

5752290345_36c90849b0.jpgPassenger Underbody

5752287973_3c46525678.jpgSide View of drivers side

As you can see I have some drips and such to clean up, This is my first time using a spray gun and only having 18" of clearance isnt helping. I wish I had photos of what it looked like before but it was pretty bad. I do have some I posted here a while ago, I'll see if I can find them.

[SlipStreamZ28]

This!

Or, you can set the rear wheels on ramps if you have them to simulate the car being on the ground. This allows you to slide under the car easier to keep adjusting and measuring until it is perfect. Here's a picture of me doing this on my Trans Am...



now imagine this with the wheels on and on the ramps like above ^^^ I had to adjust mine again because I didn't have the suspension loaded

Cant I just put the jack stands on the axles to load the suspension?