panhard bar

[oldguy]

Anyone out there using a panhard bar (track bar, panhard rod, or whatever you call it) on their CJ?? I see a bit of axle walking when pushing it in the bush and think a panhard might be useful. If you got one where did you get it, attach it, how did you make it ???

 

[Purple77CJ7]

If you are talking about the front axle, I made a track bar for my Jeep. After the shackle reversal it moved side to side just enough to give it death wobble. I bought a JKS adjustable track bar for a YJ and shortened it to fit the narrower frame. Welded a bracket on top of diff and a drop bracket on driver side of frame. Now I can drive with no death wobble.

 

[oldguy]

Purple,
Sounds like just what I need. Got a pic or two I can see?? Thanks again!

 

[BusaDave9]

oldguy how's your jeep handle on road? Normally a leaf spring suspension doesn't have a panhard bar. You can add one but I would first make sure your spring and shackle bushings are in good shape.

 

[Purple77CJ7]

Her are some pics of what I did. My whole front suspension was new and I still had death wobble. This fixed it. Frame mount, Diff mount, and the whole thing. I could not get it level with axle so I do have a little bump steer when you mash the brakes and it nose dives some.

 

[oldguy]

Thanks for the pics. I'll be ordering a bar or two tomorrow.

Busa, thanks for the comments. Every spring, shackle, bushing, shock, etc... is new. It actually handles great on the road. It's on the two tracks I'm working on. When going over foot deep ruts slowly you can actually watch the front and rear axle walk side to side. I know it probably doesn't hurt a thing I'm just curious to see if I can stop it. I can only imaging how much back and forth is going on when it's floored and going through the mud pits.

 

[Purple77CJ7]

Oldguy, on the track bar I used, you loosen the bolt on the bar itself when off road so that your axle can articulate. Then when going back on road you tighten it up to hold axle centered.