Panhard Rod on a Leaf Spring Car

[firebob]

So I got under and measured up from the floor to the pivot points on both ends of the bar. There's only 1" difference, so in a 50" radius arc that one inch isn't going to give the rear much sideways movement especially with rubber bushings in the ends. The springs will only go 2 1/4" at full compression and it's never going to go that far anyways. The only real movement caused might come when the rearend springs unload. I had the body on jackstands and the rear springs totally unloaded with one pivot bolt out and it move about 3/4" inboard. Nothing to be concerned about to my mind.

But back to the original question...Is it really needed in a leaf spring car? Or is it just overkill and extra weight?



Robert