Q: Panhard Bar
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 738
From: Louisiana
Decided to measure everything today since I needed something to do. The left side is about 3/8" lower than the right side. I checked it based on where the bump stops are and with a level and the body. I even swapped the springs in the rear but it still leans... I also checked and saw that I had them opposite... One was upside down the other was right, not that it made a difference I don't think. They look identical on either end. I made sure they were both clocked the same as well... It can't be the springs, because I swapped them (right?) so it has to be something on the left side of the vehicle that isn't right, otherwise the lean would have swapped sides (right?).
It's not just from behind it that you can tell it's leaning, just glancing at where the wheel wells are, you can clearly see that the right side is much higher than the left.
Even if the car had that lean with the stock setup and I just didn't notice it, I don't want it now. I am thinking maybe some type of spacer for the left side to help raise it (if possible)?
It's not just from behind it that you can tell it's leaning, just glancing at where the wheel wells are, you can clearly see that the right side is much higher than the left.
Even if the car had that lean with the stock setup and I just didn't notice it, I don't want it now. I am thinking maybe some type of spacer for the left side to help raise it (if possible)?
Last edited by gmoran1469; Feb 28, 2010 at 05:38 PM.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 13
From: MO
He said he did try swapping the springs. Aren’t you paying attention young man?
(Just joking).
Gmoron1469, I can see in the pictures where the right side stop has a wider space than the left side. But in the pic with the level it looks perfectly parallel with the exhaust & fascia..
Maybe its your shocks. Try swapping the shocks.
And I would want to know why my car is leaning. Not just use shims to level it.
(Just joking).
Gmoron1469, I can see in the pictures where the right side stop has a wider space than the left side. But in the pic with the level it looks perfectly parallel with the exhaust & fascia..
Maybe its your shocks. Try swapping the shocks.
And I would want to know why my car is leaning. Not just use shims to level it.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 329
From: Florida
There is clearly a noticeable difference between the space over the bumpstops on each side. Were these pictures taken with a full tank of gas?
Has your car ever been in an accident? If so, your frame may be twisted.
Did you check your passenger side front spring? Is that seated/clocked properly? Is the front level?
Did you remove and reinstall one of your rear control arms? Did you torque it down with the suspension at ride height?
That's all I can think of...
Has your car ever been in an accident? If so, your frame may be twisted.
Did you check your passenger side front spring? Is that seated/clocked properly? Is the front level?
Did you remove and reinstall one of your rear control arms? Did you torque it down with the suspension at ride height?
That's all I can think of...
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 738
From: Louisiana
I don't think it's been in an accident. I got it with 6.5k miles on it. Only one person had it before me, dealer said he just didn't like it and traded it in to get something different (maybe a gt500, who knows?).
The front seems level, I will have to put it back on blocks and measure. I know the springs in the front are seated. I've taken them out and inspected the entire strut assembly at least twice now just to make sure of different things.
The picture with the level, you can tell it's leaning to the left. That level is level and the picture was taken damn near perfectly perpindicular to the level.
Rear control arms, wouldn't know them if I was looking at them so I doubt it... From what I remember the install went like this:
1. Removed both rear wheels
2. Removed sway bar links
3. Dropped rear end on to jack stands
4. Removed stock shocks and springs
5. Installed new springs, then new shocks
6. Raised rear end back up and reconnected sway bar links
7. Put everything back on
One thing I did loosen that I don't rememeber if there was weight on the car when I tightened it back is that small bar that has a bolt right above the passenger side where the panhard bolts. I loosened that so I could get the panhard roto-joint into the slot. It has some type of half tubular arm it jams against the body.
Guess I need to measure the front and see if it's leaning, swap the shocks to see if it is those, take some pics and post again.
The front seems level, I will have to put it back on blocks and measure. I know the springs in the front are seated. I've taken them out and inspected the entire strut assembly at least twice now just to make sure of different things.
The picture with the level, you can tell it's leaning to the left. That level is level and the picture was taken damn near perfectly perpindicular to the level.
Rear control arms, wouldn't know them if I was looking at them so I doubt it... From what I remember the install went like this:
1. Removed both rear wheels
2. Removed sway bar links
3. Dropped rear end on to jack stands
4. Removed stock shocks and springs
5. Installed new springs, then new shocks
6. Raised rear end back up and reconnected sway bar links
7. Put everything back on
One thing I did loosen that I don't rememeber if there was weight on the car when I tightened it back is that small bar that has a bolt right above the passenger side where the panhard bolts. I loosened that so I could get the panhard roto-joint into the slot. It has some type of half tubular arm it jams against the body.
Guess I need to measure the front and see if it's leaning, swap the shocks to see if it is those, take some pics and post again.
Last edited by gmoran1469; Mar 1, 2010 at 10:29 AM.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 329
From: Florida
Maybe see if you can run a CarFax on your car's VIN number. That might tell you if it has ever been in an accident and an insurance claim was filed... If the springs are good and the install is good and you didn't touch the control arms, I can't see what else would cause that kind of twist other than frame damage.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 738
From: Louisiana
Maybe see if you can run a CarFax on your car's VIN number. That might tell you if it has ever been in an accident and an insurance claim was filed... If the springs are good and the install is good and you didn't touch the control arms, I can't see what else would cause that kind of twist other than frame damage.
5th Gear Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,536
From: New Jersey
mmmmm cant be the springs. panhard bar is fine, wheels are centered. and you really didnt touch the control arms. i would say shocks or the frame is tweaked. we have basically ruled most of the suspension stuff out.
the next step, i personally would swap out the shocks and switch them.
the next step, i personally would swap out the shocks and switch them.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 738
From: Louisiana
mmmmm cant be the springs. panhard bar is fine, wheels are centered. and you really didnt touch the control arms. i would say shocks or the frame is tweaked. we have basically ruled most of the suspension stuff out.
the next step, i personally would swap out the shocks and switch them.
the next step, i personally would swap out the shocks and switch them.