How Do I Build a Panhard Bar?

A panhard bar is used in conjunction with a three link or a truck arm rear suspension system, and serves to laterally locate the rear axle. The panhard bar attaches to the chassis on one end, and to the rear end housing on the other. On pavement stock cars, the chassis attachment is typically on the right side of the car; on dirt stock cars, it is usually on the left. Panhard bars are most often made from 1-and 1/4-inch O.D., 3/4-inch swaged steel tubing. This tubing is threaded to accept 3/4-inch rod ends, with right-hand thread on one end, and left-hand thread on the other.

Things You'll Need

  • Swaged tubing, 1 ¼ by ¾
  • ¾ inch spherical rod ends, 1 left hand, 1 right hand
  • Jamb nuts for rod ends
  • Tape measure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Position the rear-end housing exactly where it will be at normal ride height, and properly centered. Measure from the center of the panhard bar mount on the chassis to the center of the panhard bar mount on the rear end housing.

    • 2

      Subtract four inches from the measurement in step one and round the result to the nearest inch; this will be the length of the swaged tubing.

    • 3

      Install the spherical rod ends and jamb nuts at their respective ends of the swaged tubing.