Rear axle offset to left
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Rear axle offset to left I've taken a lot of measurements and I have found that the rear axle on this 1997 Firebird is offset to the left about 1/4". I have heard that many left the factory not centered - was it usually to the left?? Car is 100% stock, original panhard bar, etc. does have new Bilstein shocks with STOCK springs. Drives fine, zero pull has about 1/16" toe in that I might address later. Is it worth the trouble to get adjustable panhard bar? With these shocks the ride is already about as stiff as I'd want it. Thanks
Last edited by rkjjeep; Aug 3, 2025 at 03:29 PM.
I've taken a lot of measurements and I have found that the rear axle on this 1997 Firebird is offset to the left about 1/4". I have heard that many left the factory not centered - was it usually to the left?? Car is 100% stock, original panhard bar, etc. does have new Bilstein shocks with STOCK springs. Drives fine, zero pull has about 1/16" toe in that I might address later. Is it worth the trouble to get adjustable panhard bar? With these shocks the ride is already about as stiff as I'd want it. Thanks
if it bothers you that much, get an adjustable panhard bar to center it up. very easy to swap out and will come in handy if you ever lower the car in the future. if that bothers you don't measure ride height left comepared to right on the car, you'll find out what the term "f-body lean" came from
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Yeah I know. Engineering tolerances, stack ups, etc. I would just prefer that the rear wheels are in nearly the same path as the fronts. The track on a 4th gen like this is 0.1" wider in the rear, so each front "should be" 0.05" inboard of the rear on the same side, about 1.25mm or 3/64"
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It’s common for these cars to have a slight rear axle offset from the factory, often to the left. If it drives fine with no handling issues, an adjustable panhard bar isn’t necessary. Only consider it if the offset bothers you visually or if you notice handling quirks. Otherwise, save the effort.
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Well I bought the car to have something to tinker with. Installed the Suspension Engineering adjustable bar. Got the axle centered as close as possible by measuring to the body and then dialed it in by stringing the car. It's dead center with 1/2 tank of fuel. The Suspension Engineering piece seems very well made.
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JUST FYI I spent a lot of time measuring and stringing the car and adjusting the bar. On THIS 1997 Firebird when I center the rear axle relative to the front wheels the plumb bob fender lip to rear wheel numbers are equal side to side.
