I am replacing some rear suspension components. I already purchased -a pair of lakewood lower control arms and a bushing set for a few other rear suspension parts.
Upon removal of the panhards bar and the track bar, I noticed that both were bent on the drivers side pretty bad which is squeezing my rear tires together and in turn probably throwing off alignment.
My question is that..because I am replacing the coil springs in the back, and the lower control arms, Should I also replace the panhard bar...or in other words, will I benefit from an aftermarket one (lakewood). It costs $215 here in Manitoba..Is it worth it to buy a new one???

 

Yes it is worth it. The stock suspension pieces are junk and flex a lot. If you are lowering your car with your new springs it is a good idea to get an adjustable one. That way you can keep your re-end in the correct spot.

 

good to see another fellow Winnipegger on here!

If your concerned about the coin......head to Bucks Auto, yank a good stocker panhard out, Head to Princess Auto, buy some flat steel and I can box it in for you if you want.

You could probably do it for under $50.

 

I boxed in my factory LCA's ($30) and replaced them the same time I did my pan hard rob (Lakewood tubular adj.....$90 here in TX). HUGE difference in rear end feel. I'd hammer on it before and the rear felt like it never knew which way to go....was all over the place. After replacement...WOW! Felt like the rear axle was right under the driver seat and stiff as hell.

Can't answer your question specifically b/c I did both at the same time. But, I do that that combined is a hell of a lot of fun.

Boxing in your factory piece should be quite satisfactory (esp for $50).

 

I just figured I'd give him another option. I know our dollar is worth crap right now, and to buy all those braces and suspension upgrades would cost an arm and a leg.

So far I have made my own 2 point STB, boxed the control arms yesterday. I took it for a spin tonight and it feels alot stiffer, less hunting. To bad it started snowing. Next on the list is box the panhard, then 2X2 subframe connectors.

The way I see it, Mine might be a little more crude, and not as pretty (powercoated etc), but i can't justify spending 100's of dollars when I can make the stuff at home. It leaves more money in my pocket for gas, building a better motor, working on the house, paying bills, EATING! lol

You get the idea

 

Yeah. I will also go that way and box my stock lca's and panhard bar. That's because aftermarket tubular one's would cost here as much as springs and shocks there. I also got my sfc's made in my home town for 53us dollars and only aftermarket ones on our market (hotchkis) would have cost 720 us dollars. Anyway it is no use to ship simple metal parts across atlantic ocean if you can do it by your self.

Okay, you won't see as much saving as i did with doing these parts myself but still you can get some extra cash for your engine if you do it yourself
damn i write long posts

 

wow, you guys have parts for so cheap because they manufacture all the parts near by. For my expenses, anything that costs $50 U.S. is almost always around $160 for car parts. THat is because of the insane shipping and border fees.
I actually ordered an oem panhard bar but I tossed the nylon bushings that came with it and put in "Energy Suspension" polyeurathane bushings as well as oem struts and coil springs all in rear.
HOWEVER i purchased a pair of thirdgen compatible Lakewood L control arms that I havent installed yet.
Should I expect any major ride quality changed compared to the original rusty junkers.....



Hey Crazyrob 75...
thats awesome to find another thirdgen member in Winnipeg.
Hows your car coming along...I just swapped in my 355 from the old crossfire 305 piece. Everything is connected and 2 days ago i finished the initial breake w/oil change...No leaks..everything is perfect.

Hope to see you in the spring cruising around...I have a black 82 trans am with those recaro rims that are painted bright aluminum and I have T-tops...not that many around here, so you should have no problem...just follow the 2 long strips of rubber..

 

Sounds like you'll have a killer ride for the summer.

We always hang out at the Minute Muffler on Portage Sunday nights. My Cutlass is my main cruiser. The 'Bird is going to be a nice daily driver. All that's really planned for it is rims, paint, and lower.

You should swing by when the snow melts. I'm sure you'll love my buddies 83 TA, it's black with Rodlites........it's doing 11.20's.