OK I did a search but didn't see any information on this. So...

OK we all know that our cars came with a variety of suspension packages from the factory, depending on model (F41, FE2, WS6, etc etc).

Now what I want to know is if the stock panhard bar and brace are different lengths for those different packages?

For example the IROC suspension package (FE2?) drops the car 1" in height overall from the stock Sport Coupe suspension, and IIRC TransAm WS6 package has the same drop over the base 'bird.

So do they have different panhard lengths to keep the rear end centered? or did they do something different to center the rear with the lowered ride height?

Constructive input, panhard measurements from your car and what suspension it has, anyone?

 

No. If they were different, manufactures would have already presented 20 models to the market, instead of just one.

JamesC

 

Right: the ride height dofference of these cars, from lowest to highest, is probably less than 1"; necessitating a Panhard bar with a "theoretical" "perfect" length difference of about 1/16". Less than the mfg tolerance in the blob of spooge they splooted into the ends of them.

"Measure with micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with axe"

 

I see, so generally when people are talking about lowering their cars and worrying about rear end center, its much ado about nothing. Unless the drop is significant, say like 2" or more?

One reason I'm asking is I need to replace the panhard in my 87, the same impact (prev owner) that bent the axle shaft (already fixed), bent the crap out of the panhard (I've seen straighter politicians). So if they're all the same length, I'll just rip one off at the JY

The other reason is curiousity.

 

Right: in most cases. It always deserves to be checked, but it rarely reaches a point that it becomes a problem, unless there's been some SERIOUS changes.

So yeah, if your car is more or less stock ride height, a JY one won't be any worse than your car was before it got curbed or whatever. (that's the only way I've ever bent mine... curbed it on black ice on a high-crown road at about 5 mph, surprisingly gently, but it SURE wacked the bar, and bent the axle flange, but didn't damage the wheel)

 

yeah it was curbed. bent the flange, boogered the panhard, and barely scuffed the tire, I'm pretty sure just the panhard is bent up now, but I am going to take a good look at the mounts and the rear LCAs. The car is a pretty much stock LG4 Z28 and will remain so for the forseeable future, so I don't really need to invest in big suspension upgrades, just fixin whats broke.

heh i curbed my old 74 Duster, swerved to avoid a critter and slid into a curb bent the crap out of the right front LCA. Front wheel was at a like 45*, that sucked

 

Yeah those curbs are a mother... it SURE doesn't take much. Surprised the heck out of me how much damage it did.

 

darn things should stay at the side of the road where they belong instead of jumping in front of the car like that

 

Opposite experience here, curbed my car twice...REAL BAD too. First time i curbed both fronts and just bent the idler arm. Second time I was ****ing around and curbed all 4 tires on 4 curbs at 30mph. Yes, I drove up and completely over a double island for a total of 4 curbs each hit by all 4 wheels for a grand total of 16 tire-curb impacts. Talk about a bumpy ride. Car wasn't damaged at all except for a decent scratch on the bottom of the floor pan and car drove exactly the same before and after. Everybody learns their lesson one way or another, i got lucky learning mine.

 

Driving UP ONTO curbs isn't "curbed".... that word means sliding sideways into them. The car has very little strength in that direction. All sorts of things bednd: wheels, spindles (the place where the wheel bearing goes bends downward), axles, and Panhard bars, especially.