My Class 8 Ford Pop Special has standard front axle and transverse leaf spring. Should I fit a Panhard rod to the front axle, will it improve steering and vehicle stability ?
it can do no harm? it WILL prevent the axle from pivotting sideways... what back axle arrangement does it have? this could also influence steering and stability....so a panhard-type rod to locate the back axle, laterally, would help.
David, Even the Ford Motor Company had to admit that the handling of their upright saloons was pretty poor on corners. There was a little publicised handling kit offered by Ford available in the 1950s and 60s re-manufactured in 1984 by the Sidevalve Owners Club but no longer available now. This consisted of 2 adjustable Panhard Rods, one for the front and one for the rear connecting the centre of the chassis with a special plate to a shackle eye on the transverse front and rear axle. Hopefully a pic attached, David
It will definately improve the steering and reduce the tendency to wander in a straight line. I made a front one using a rose joint at one end and a Westfield bush at the other, which made a marked difference. It also pays to keep the king pins tight and well greased too! Andy
"Dellows have a half panhard rod which seems to work well." Eh? I have never heard it described as that ? Surely it is either 'a Panhard rod' or it isn't? The length, within reason, is immaterial - although ideally it SHOULD be as long as practicable so that the arc of travel is of the greatest possible diameter so that sideways movement is minimised.
it can do no harm? it WILL prevent the axle from pivotting sideways... what back axle arrangement does it have? this could also influence steering and stability....so a panhard-type rod to locate the back axle, laterally, would help.
ReplyDeleteDavid Dellows have a half panhard rod which seems to work well. Peter
ReplyDeleteDavid, Even the Ford Motor Company had to admit that the handling of their upright saloons was pretty poor on corners. There was a little publicised handling kit offered by Ford available in the 1950s and 60s re-manufactured in 1984 by the Sidevalve Owners Club but no longer available now. This consisted of 2 adjustable Panhard Rods, one for the front and one for the rear connecting the centre of the chassis with a special plate to a shackle eye on the transverse front and rear axle. Hopefully a pic attached, David
ReplyDeleteSorry, pic failed, retrying, Dave
ReplyDeleteIt will definately improve the steering and reduce the tendency to wander in a straight line. I made a front one using a rose joint at one end and a Westfield bush at the other, which made a marked difference. It also pays to keep the king pins tight and well greased too! Andy
ReplyDelete"Dellows have a half panhard rod which seems to work well." Eh? I have never heard it described as that ? Surely it is either 'a Panhard rod' or it isn't? The length, within reason, is immaterial - although ideally it SHOULD be as long as practicable so that the arc of travel is of the greatest possible diameter so that sideways movement is minimised.
ReplyDelete