Adjusting the panhard bar question

[SCoRPiuS7]

When adjusting the panhard bar. What do you measure off? I leveled off the fender and measured to the center of the axle. Any input would be great. I ended up with 3 and a 1/8" on both sides. Would the change mess up my alignment?
Spohn panhard bar

 

[iamdub]

In the most basic sense, the panhard is to adjust the lateral location of the frame and body in relation to the axle. You adjust it so that the axle is centered with the vehicle resting at ride height. Butt a tape measure against the inner fender and measure to a point on the tire, such as a center line in the tread. Measure the other side and compare the numbers. Adjust the panhard to pull or push the body whichever direction it needs to go to center the axle, making both of those measurements the same. Easy peasy.

 

[Rocket Man]

I put a straight edge against the outside of my tire and measured from that to my fender lip.

 

[SCoRPiuS7]

Did it work out pretty good? Was easy to adjust but want to know if I was doing it right

 

[SCoRPiuS7]

In the most basic sense, the panhard is to adjust the lateral location of the frame and body in relation to the axle. You adjust it so that the axle is centered with the vehicle resting at ride height. Butt a tape measure against the inner fender and measure to a point on the tire, such as a center line in the tread. Measure the other side and compare the numbers. Adjust the panhard to pull or push the body whichever direction it needs to go to center the axle, making both of those measurements the same. Easy peasy.

Never thought of measuring from the inner fender. I'll check it out again tomorrow after work

 

[Rocket Man]

Did it work out pretty good? Was easy to adjust but want to know if I was doing it right

Of course it worked good! As long as you're measuring from the same point of the body on either side to the same point of the drivetrain it works. The reason for adjusting this is so the tires tuck the same into the fenders, especially for those of us with big tires running on lowered suspension. I needed mine exactly centered because the passenger side would rub the inside of the fender over hard bumps. That's the reason I measured to the fender lip. It's an easy place to get an exact measurement plus it's the place that's critical for me.

 

[SCoRPiuS7]

Went and re-measured from the inner fenders and there is only 1/8" from side to side. So I'm only out a 1/16". Im just going to leave it where it is and also added blue loctite

 

[iamdub]

I put a straight edge against the outside of my tire and measured from that to my fender lip.

The straight edge on the tire method can work the same if you don't have any sidewall bulge at the bottom. Jacking up the car by the rear axle would eliminate this, but then you've made taking a simple measurement into a 3-step/3-piece-of-equipment process (jack, straight edge and tape measure). I doubt you have any sidewall bulge to be considered with your wheel and tire combo.

Never thought of measuring from the inner fender. I'll check it out again tomorrow after work

Inner fender, frame, fender lip... Doesn't matter as log as it compares the location of the wheels to the body and you measure the same points on both sides.

1/8" is definitely not even worth breaking out the wrenches. You're good to go.

 

[Rocket Man]

The straight edge on the tire method can work the same if you don't have any sidewall bulge at the bottom. Jacking up the car by the rear axle would eliminate this, but then you've made taking a simple measurement into a 3-step/3-piece-of-equipment process (jack, straight edge and tape measure).

Oh yeah, I have pretty much no sidewall period lol. Forgot.

 

[iamdub]

Oh yeah, I have pretty much no sidewall period lol. Forgot.

You beat me to it during my editing