88firechicken

Not sure if this goes here but,

What are these:think:

From my 88firebird, From the back below the gas tank running from side to side..


Thanks.


Top one is alittle bent

Dewey316

the one on top is the Panhard bar (trackbar) which is badly bent.

the upper one is the PHB brace, sometimes called the upperPHB.


they are responsible for keeping the rear axle located where it should be (side to side.)

88firechicken

Are these dealer parts?


And thxs Dewey316..

Dewey316

heck now, i would go to a scrap yard.

StevenK

iTrader: (1)

or replace them with sphoon parts

ebmiller88

iTrader: (7)

Were you actually driving the car with that bar like that?

I'd replace the panhard (the bent one) with an aftermarket tubular piece if you can. If you can't do that right now, I've got 4 stock panhards in my basement if you need one, yours for the price of shipping.


Ed

CaysE

Ouch... did someone hit your rear wheel? That panhard bar should be straight as an arrow.

88firechicken

I havent drove the car in about 3 years, But yes i was driving it with it that way, I didnt know it was like that tho..i noticed it when i decided to get it going again and found out i had REAL bad gas in the tank, So when i took the gas tank off(that was a nightmare) is when i noticed it..Not sure how it happened or when it happened..


By the look of these pic's i'm going to need to replace both of them.

Any good links to a place to get both??


And thxs alot ebmiller88!! I will keep that in mind.Going to look around and see how much this will cost me to replace them with something a little better then stock and go from there

88firechicken

anothere

Slow88lb9

iTrader: (3)

I have a tubular panhard bar i built for my car i have been running for three years but when i lowered my car i need an adjustable one so it is just hanging around. if you are interested pm or email me.I will make ya a smoking deal on it.

camaro of solar

iTrader: (2)

OUCH! that sucks man...and yea I would go with a tubie one and replace both...sphon i htink has a deal for both of them...so does www.bmrfabrications.com

88firechicken

Thanks guys!

I can find a panhardbar, But i cant find a PHB brace anywhere.

White91GTA

i have not been able to find the phb brace for 3rd gens...but i know that someone, i think bmr makes one for 4th gens. i don't know if it would work on our cars or not, but i don't see why it wouldn't. if anyone has a little insight on this please post as i am curious and i am pretty sure 88firechicken is as well.

ebmiller88

iTrader: (7)

Edit....


I've only seen one panhard brace on this site and it had a Competition Engineering tag on it but I don't think they make it anymore.

Search for "panhard brace"

I can't find the pic on here fo the CE part that was posted but I'm sure someone has it. Here's the thread on the panhard brace from BMR:


https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ighlight=brace

Ed

Holio

If you just want the stock type track bar, Rockauto.com has a moog part for $36.

Look through the classifieds for the trackbar brace and post a parts wanted.

ebmiller88

iTrader: (7)

From me, earlier:

Ed

91Z28-350

If the bar is bent like that, chances are you will be replacing more than just the bar itself. Check the mounting points and follow it to see what else is bent, and in what fashion.

Momar

I cant remember what company it was but I was looking at different suspension companies parts the other day, and one of them does make a tubular phb brace. It is designed to clear dual exhaust, but would still work for normal exhaust.

White91GTA

That would be BMR that you are thinking of

ebmiller88

iTrader: (7)

It's about halfway down the page:

http://www.bmrfabrication.com/F-body...tm#panhardrods

Ed

88firechicken

I'm going to look around again and see if anything looks bent, I didnt notice anything else bent..


Ed, Thank you every much for offering, But i think i'm going to go with a aftermarket tubular panhard bar..

Not sure if i want to pay 200 bucks for the trackbar brace, Think i just might visit the bone yard towmorro and see what i can find

slowTA

iTrader: (1)

That is some serious damage. If the upper bar is bent, then the frame is going to be bent also. Take a look where they bolt together on the passenger side, that support has to look like a pretzel... there are no 2 ways about it. When you get another upper brace that isn't bent the same way it will not fit. You are going to have to bend everything back into shape. You may have to check the rear end too.

Then if you really want to get it put back together with the rear in the correct location I think an adjustable panhrad bar is going to be required. Odds of the mounting point getting bent back to the correct location aren't too good unless you have a body shop do it.

88firechicken

Few photos,

88firechicken

88firechicken

White91GTA

hate to say it dude...but it looks like you need new springs and everything

slowTA

iTrader: (1)

The springs are probably worn out, but the surface rust doesn't mean all that much.

The rear end bracket doesn't look bad, but it can be hard to tell but pictures. I would look for cracks and huge gaps where it meats the housing.

Based on the first few pics the frame looks better than what I would expect. But it isn't right either. If you look at the last pic, the one taken looking straight up at the spring... those 2 supports should be pointing straight down. You might be able to get another upper brace and muscle it in place so all the holes line up. If you're lucky another panhard bar my do the trick for you. That is, if you aren't too concerned about getting the rear end centered perfectly! If you are worried about it being perfect then an adjustable panhard bar is a must. It is kind of hard to tell just how far those 2 supports are pushed over if at all, they may just be twisted some. I might try to straighten it out a little, but that can be tricky too.

The BEST way of fixing it would involve a frame shop, could get pricey.

It's a judgment call.

88firechicken

The springs are only 3 years old, They only have a few hundred miles on them..If sitting around for 2years makes them go bad, Then they are bad..I think that is the least of my worries..



This blows! Not sure what to do..

Guess i'll go to the junkyard get everything i need and see if i can get it in, If i can cool if not guess she'll be parts


Thanks slowTA!


p.s. I did look for cracks in the paint and if it looked like it got bent anywhere and it all looks fine..

Slow88lb9

iTrader: (3)

If i were you i would get the part's and try to put them in i would say if the PHB brace lines up with the holes you should be ok.
That is if the rear section of the frame is not bent but you would think it would show in the quater panals some were if it was.
Also i just noticed you live in buffalo i am only 45 minets from there.

88firechicken

Hey Slow88lb9,

How's life down in jamestown?

It's only about 35 min for me, I drive alittle faster then you

deadbird

I wouldn't get to worried over the brace as long as it is straight, it is supposed to have that funky bend/shape to it on the pass. side end...

88firechicken

Well, Look at that..

Slow88lb9

iTrader: (3)

Jamestown sucks the only good thing about it is the ice areana.
If you are interested in that tubular PHB come and get it if you want it.

88firechicken

Thanks alot man!

I'm all over that tubular PHB! Send me a email or a PM and we can work something out..

Towmorro afternoon(2or3 or later) works for me or when ever you have some time..

DuronClocker

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, my brace is a little funky on that side as well. I was under the impression its like that to clear the exhaust..