panhard or no panhard ?

[knighthawk]

While discussing suspension stuff with Butch of 'Butches Cool Stuff', a question arose, my '48 Dodge has a 'panhard bar', ( that's the swaybar from the frame on one side to the axle on the other side ) , and some cars don't. Question; which cars came with the bar , which ones didn't ? or was it an option for any or all ??.thanks ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Larry

[TodFitch]

Actually I don't think you have a panhard bar on your car: A panhard rod/bar is used to keep an axle in location. Your a-arms are doing that. What you have is a anti-sway bar.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Panhard_rod

[greg g]

a panhard rod and a sway bar are not the same thing. A panhard rod goes from one side of the rear axle diagonally to a location on the opposite side of the frame. Its fuction os to keep the rear axle centered in relation to the chassis. the say bar (more properly anti sway) is connected to boths sides of the axle and both sides of the frame. Its purpose is to limit body lean by using the upward direction of one wheel ( usually the outside one in a turn) also try to raise the other side wheel or limit its drop in relationship to the body. Thus keeping both wheels similar in relationship to the body.

My car an early 46 Plymouth Business coupe deluxe has niether.

[TodFitch]

My car an early 46 Plymouth Business coupe deluxe has neither.

Hmmm. An anti-sway bar was first introduced on Plymouth in 1935 and I was under the impression that they had them continuously on all models every year there after. So maybe it was like the oil filter: Standard equipment on all cars early on but then dropped from the standard/business line vehicle as a cost savings in later years.

[Rusty O'Toole]

A Panhard rod or Panhard bar is usually found on cars with coil spring rear suspension like old Buicks from the late 30s to 1959 and Chev pickup trucks from the late 60s and early 70s. Its job is to hold the axle from moving from side to side. On a leaf spring suspension the leaf springs do this job. One exception is some Fords from the 40s had the transverse leaf spring and a Panhard rod in the front.

I don't believe Chrysler ever used such a thing before 1978 when they brought out the front drive Omni/ Horizon/ Kcar line with coil sprung rear suspension.

[martybose]

My impression is that Plymouth's generally don't have panhard bars, but Dodge's often do have them. I know my 47 Plymouth doesn't have one.

Marty

[desoto1939]

My 39 Desoto has the front sway bar. I also had a 39 Dodge and it also had the front sway bar.

Rich Hartung

[greg g]

Todd, the OP mentioned Panhard rod first I assumed he was speaking about rear suspensions so I don't have either in that application. I do have a front anti sway bar .

[Powerhouse]

I have an anti sway on my 39. I didn't until I put one on there though. It originally would have had one. The old fashioned links and whatnot were not very strong and usually the whole system was tossed when it broke or got sloppy. WHAT a difference with it installed though.

[TodFitch]

Tod, the OP mentioned Panhard rod first I assumed he was speaking about rear suspensions so I don't have either in that application. I do have a front anti sway bar .

I think generically you can have Panhard rods/bars/links on any axle. I've never seen a Panhard link on a conventional rear drive Chrysler product from the 20s through the 60s but I guess there could be some.

I'm not sure, but I think the arms that held the front axle on my '91 Jeep Cherokee would be considered Panhard links. Basically they positioned the axle from front to back and side to side. The coil springs did the, well, springing. And it had a sway bar up there too.

[knighthawk]

well, guys, my '48 Dodge has a panhard bar AND leaf springs, also had a pretty skinny front sway bar. The panhard bar mounts are welded to the frame on the left side and welded to the axle on the right side. Must be one of a kind ?????????

Edited September 9, 2011 by knighthawk
speling

[Dodgeb4ya]

1946-8 Chryslers used a rear sway bar. The 8 cylinder bars were straight and had a hydraulic shock absorber type end. The 6 cylinder sway bar at the rear axle is a swoopy curved 7/8" steel sway bar and is adjustable by shims at the frame end-should be the same on Dodge and Desoto too.

Edited September 9, 2011 by Dodgeb4ya

[greg g]

I would define that as a panhard rod as one end is on the axle and one on the frame.

Yes Todd them Jeeps had a lot of control pieces attached including a panhard rod #30 but they call it a track bar. would probably be fairly common on a coil sprung solid front axle set up.

[YukonJack]

Dodge had them, Plymouth didn't.

[Plymouthy Adams]

yukonjack is on the money as for Dodge D24 having panhard rods as stock...got a couple of these at home..they make for a very well handling vehicle..I would not want to drive my Tiger without its stock panhard rod either..and if you have any vehicle you tow with..the addition of a panhard rod makes for a better handling rig...

[Robert Horne]

1946-8 Chryslers used a rear sway bar. The 8 cylinder bars were straight and had a hydraulic shock absorber type end. The 6 cylinder sway bar at the rear axle is a swoopy curved 7/8" steel sway bar and is adjustable by shims at the frame end-should be the same on Dodge and Desoto too.

This is the set-up on my 48 Dodge 4 door.