Leaf Springs and Panhard bar

[Mpcoluv]

Guys,
I am looking to optimize my rear setup on my 69 mustang. I currently have Global west L-11 springs with the Del Alum bushings.
Will going removing the del alum bushings and going to spherical bearings and a panhard bar be a real upgrade?

[dhutton]

Is a panhard bar with leaf springs a thing? I would have guessed there would be side loading on the leafs as ride the suspension moves up and down. What are you hoping to gain?

Where’s Donny?

[dontlifttoshift]

PHB and leafs are a thing. Getting the bar level at ride height is key to minimize the minimal bit of binding.

If you are set on keeping the leaf springs, I would look at this instead of a panhard bar. http://www.fays2.net/index.html

[Mpcoluv]

I have a Mike Maier Panhard bar kit sitting next to me. A guy I know bought it and didn't install it.
I know a Watts is the "Perfect" solution but I have the PH.
What is the "ideal" leaf setup? A spherical bearing in 6 spots plus a watts?

[dontlifttoshift]

A slider box makes more sense to me than sphericals in the shackles. Worth noting that Maier supplies Poly front bushings and rubber shackle bushings in his rear suspension kits using leaf springs and a panhard bar. By letting the spring float a bit relative to the chassis and using heims on the panhard bar the _axle_ is accurately located to the chassis. That's the theory anyways.

Let's go back to the beginning. What are you trying to optimize for? What size wheels and tires are you running? What brand tires? What shocks? What is your front suspension? What is your steering box?

[Mpcoluv]

69 mustang
I have a Global west +3 upper and tubular lowers, Street or Track Billet drop spindles (that allow the arms and steering arm to fin inside an 18" wheel). I am running Viking triple adjustable coil overs with the Conical spring that fits into the upper spring seat. Right now I am still used 16" wheels with 255s square. I am planning for getting 18" x 10.5 wheels wiuth 295s square. OEM style (Chocko stang) power steering. 1 1/8" sway bar
Current rear is GW L-11 springs with Del Alum.

[Rod]

yes a pan hard bar works well with leafs, allowing you lower the roll center, and limits the lateral shift on leafs, the key is to make it as long as possible, we use the watts on most leaf cars both the pan hard and watts will make the leaf car handle 2x better

[dontlifttoshift]

Rodney knows more than me on this. I optimize leaf springs by throwing them in the garbage.

I think leaving the delalum bushings with the panhard bar will be just fine. I don't see enough upside in the sphericals to make it worth the effort.

None of it will matter really until you get some decent tires on there.

[dhutton]

I optimize leaf springs by throwing them in the garbage.

Lol…

[F-Body International]

I would not run a panhard par with delalum bushings. If anything, install a watts link like mentioned. It’s minimal in the grand scheme of suspension but panhard bars swing on an arc and your delalum bushings are supposed to be a zero-deflection pivot point. With spherical and solid bushings everywhere, the panhard approach is working against

By having the delalum in the body side of the shackle, you have already eliminated the biggest lateral flex point in a leaf spring suspension. Going spherical in the spring eye wll help with articulation but that is a different subject than this thread.

Hope this helps in any way.

[kawasakii]

Upgrading to spherical bearings and adding a panhard bar can improve rear suspension stability and handling.