4 link bolt on / 79 firebird trans am - need to a panhard bar o r watts linkage?

[jackoilrain]

Hi all, i'm a newbye, i've a question about the 4link bolt on:


I need of a panhard bar or a watts link to center the pinion and stop the side to side rear axle movement, or the 4bolt on kit it's enough to stop this?


Thanks,

Carlo

[dhutton]

Depends on whether it is a parallel or triangulated four bar. Triangulated do not need a panhard bar or watts link. Parallel do.

Don

[Peter Mc Mahon]

If the 4 link is triangulated, you don't need a panhard. If the bars are parallel, you do need one.

[dhutton]

Ridetech is triangulated and you should not use a panhard bar or watts link with it as far as I know. It will cause binding.

Don

[Schwartz Performance]

I second what everyone else said.
The triangulation keeps the rear end centered.. Whereas a parallel 4 link or 3 link has no lateral support and requires the panhard or watts.

[TheJDMan]

I was always told that a 4 link and a 4 bar are different. A 4 link is triangulated, and a 4 bar is parallel.

[Peter Mc Mahon]

"I was always told that a 4 link and a 4 bar are different. A 4 link is triangulated, and a 4 bar is parallel." That's interesting, I was always told a 4 link is height adjustable at the front and rear, and a 4 bar is only height adjustable at the rear? Anyone know for sure what the difference is?

[bret]

"I was always told that a 4 link and a 4 bar are different. A 4 link is triangulated, and a 4 bar is parallel." That's interesting, I was always told a 4 link is height adjustable at the front and rear, and a 4 bar is only height adjustable at the rear? Anyone know for sure what the difference is?

The two terms are used interchangeably. There are a couple different styles of 4 link suspensions [or 4 bar if you prefer] along with some variations of each.

1. parallel - needs a panhard bar or a watts linkage for lateral positioning

Some parallel 4 link have multiple adjustment holes at the front pivot points to adjust instant center. Some have these adjustment holes at the rear. Some have both. Some have none.

2. Triangulated - This 4 link has the upper [or lower] bars placed at an angle to the centerline of the car in order to provide lateral positioning of the rearend. Therefore no panhard bar nor watts linkage is needed. Most tri link rear suspensions offer no link height adjustment to adjust instant center or manipulate the turning characteristics of the car. Ours offers 3 adjustment holes at the rear.

Which is best? Lots of debate on that. We offer both styles but use the triangulated version in our performance oriented systems. Others use a parallel [or a 3 link, or a torque arm, or a ??] The 48 Hr Camaro has a bolt-in triangulated 4 link and seems to be a contender anywhere it shows up :)

[mert.celet]

Hi Guys,
Two weeks ago i have bought my Ridetech 4 link kit for my 74 Pontiac Firebird. I have not started installation yet but this thread has saved my wallet because i was about to buy a watt's link. :)
Anyway... I want to ask if i still need the sway bar or not... BTW sorry about my lack of knowledge but i'm getting to learn everything i can.

[TheJDMan]

With a triangulated 4 bar, you do need a sway bar (anti-sway bar actually). You do not need a panhard bar or watts link