Swens651

Hi,

This is probably a dumb question, but when installing a new non-adjustable panhard bar for my 02 z28 do I have to center it or will putting in the new panhard bar be to the exact specs of the factory bar and center the vehicle on its own?

BMR Tech2

iTrader: (5)

A non-adjustable panhard will only put the car back in the same position the factory bar did. If you are lowering a car and need to change the centering of the axle, you need and adjustable panhard bar

Swens651

Thanks for the response. So you just pop it in and go? Some people recommended getting an alignment done after the bar is installed...is this necessary?

blackandgold

iTrader: (2)

A non-adjustable panhard bar won't need an alignment if that is the only thing you're installing. It also won't provide any benefit though...

Swens651

how will it not provide any benefit? It's much more stiff than the stock bar...

blackandgold

iTrader: (2)

Right, so are you currently in a situation where your stock bar is flexing too much?

Swens651

I am not sure, but when I took it out it was very rusty and shitty.

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

The benefit of a tubular non-adjustable panhard bar over the factory one is that it is substantially stronger which minimize the deflection in the bar itself.

blackandgold

iTrader: (2)

What types of situations cause excessive deflection in the factory bar? I'm genuinely curious, I would think the LCAs limit the front to back travel and I'm wondering what I'm missing...

Swens651

You guys, thanks for the comments, but I think I screwed up the install. I posted a new question last night but dont seem to be getting a response. Can you please give me a quick answer?

Hi,

So I didn't drive my z28 w/o the panhard bar, but in a sense, because after I installed the new UMI non-adjustable I took it for a test drive and it felt like it swayed/hopped more than w/the stock bar. The stupid thing I did was say screw the torque wrench, so I just tightened it with a socket wrench and took it for a quick 10min test drive to see if I noticed a difference and I did, but in a negative way. So, my question is, now that I didn't have it torqued tight enough while driving am I going to have to get an alignment, because I potentially threw things off?

Thanks!

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

In handling situations you can see some deflection in the factory panhard bar mainly due to the softer rubber bushings in them. Most of the issues with the factory panhard bar come from the rubber bushings but I have also seen people bend them and swear that they never hit anything. You have to remember that panhard bar really controls the side to side movement in the rear end.

Generally I never recommend using a non-adjustable panhard rod as there is limited benefits from them and more times than not people switch to an adjustable down the road anyways to be able to fine tune the rear end location.

A lot of people really get caught up on torque specs, you have to remember that you are just installing a panhard bar and not assembling a motor. As long as the bolts are tightened down and didn't come loose they are fine. The panhard bar has large bolts and can handle a good bit of torque so I generally just tighten them down as tight as I can. Were the bolts loose when you back and checked them after the test drive? There really should be no reason that you need to get an alignment.

Swens651

Thanks so much for the response. I took it back and tightened them again, so, they weren't as tight as they could have been. I am just about to tighten them up right now with a torque wrench, though.

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

Definitely, after you do that take a couple days to get some seat time and see what you think. The non-adjustable panhard bar is a super simple piece so it is very hard to mess it up. Also it should feel very similar as it did with stock panhard bar, maybe even a little more sure feeling in the rear of the car.

Swens651

Got it tightened down nice and it feels much better!