Hi guys, I had an accident couple of weeks ago, and the rear end got hit pretty strong on the left wheel causing a bent axle shfat and panhard bar.
When it happend, it seems like the rear end shifted to the right. Once I replaced the panhard bar, the rear end seemed to return back a little bit to the left, but still no way to know if it centered again for sure because the axle shaft was still bent. Well, now everything fix and seems that the rearend is still shifted to the right, not as bad as before, but still noticable. I'm trying to see if I can get any ideas where to look next, I was thinking maybe bent torque arm?...Any feedback would be appriciated. Thanks in advance.

 

You chassis is bent or damaged. The torque arm has nothing to do with this situation.

Check the panhard chassis mount on the passengerside, see if its ripped from the body up by the spring perch.

 

I know the connection of the panhard bar at the passenger side is bent a little bit, but I didn't think it would make that much different though...

 

This is not my car in the image, but I just wanted you to see what I meant. That part was bented a little bit.

 

How far off? I ask that because many thirdgen rears, while within factory specs, are off a bit. I centered mine with an adjustable panhard.

JamesC

 

it is not far off so much to touch the inner, but close enough...and it is pretty noticeable, it was not like that before the accident for sure.

 

Forgot to mention that checking the panhard brace might be a good idea.

JamesC

 

Brace??

 

Directly above the panhard.

JamesC

 

When I replaced the bar, I checked it out and it seemed fine to me, but I don't think it can affect the rear end location. I was thinking maybe the LCA got bent a little bit?? I don't know if they also affect the rear end location.

 

take a good hard look at how all the different pieces of the rear suspension are laid out, and try to visualize the purpose that each thing serves..

the whole purpose of the panhard bard is to center the rear end laterally, the torque arm controls the angle of the pinion up and down, and the lower control arms control where the rear end site front to rear..

the panhard bar or it's mounts are where you want to look in situations where the rear end isn't centered under the car... take a good hard look at the mount on the body- it's probably pushed over and might even be ripped away from the body. but also look at the mount on the axle side, too..

 

I looked on the axle side, and the mount seems fine, but the mount on the body is bent just a little bit exactly where the bar connects to it, the rest of the mount its fine. I don't know if the slightest bend in the mount can cause the the rear end not to be centered. I put the stock bar back on since I had an aftermarket one when I had the accident.

 

the rear end will be pulled over by however much that panhard bar mount on the body is moved.. in this case, 1/4" is a lot of movement. you should look that mount over very closely to make sure it's not creased or cracking at all.

 

Thanks, but I think its too late now, I wrecked the car two nights ago...