Adjustable panhard bar for lowered cars

[manoa matt]

Big brake kit is in, rims are almost restored, poly bushings on the way, plans to remove the bumper. After all that, the car will be lowered via cutting springs.

Question is: How big of a factor is the stock non adjustable panhard bar when lowering? I'd like the rear wheels to be inline with the front wheels, and not shifted to one side even if its only 1/4". Has anyone came up with an adjustable pan hard bar? I'm pretty sure I can fabricate one from a stock bar, but would like to build upon those that have gone before.

In theory when you go over a big bump and the rear suspension goes through the full travel the axle has to move to one side or the other due to the panhard bar.

[launieg]

I was surprised the first time I looked at the panhard rod. I had expected a Watt's linkage, and I can see that the car obviously moves laterally in one direction when lowered (either through cutting springs or while bouncing). I had expected a more sophisticated method (not that I'm complaining). I've seen fabricated ones with a Watts' linkage. Doesn't look too hard to do and should address all possible suspension positions, do you think

Not a Spider, this example:

[maytag]

Lauine:
that's a nice-lookin' rear ya got there!

Seriously, that looks pretty hard-core.

Matt: what's the reasoning behind what you're trying to do? Are you building a track car? Or do you suffer from a little bit of OCD?

[So Cal Mark]

I set up a Watts linkage very similar to that on my race car, and it's really pretty easy. You could easily make an adjustable panhard rod, but any rear with that design will move from side to side as the suspension goes through its' travel

[launieg]

Lauine:
that's a nice-lookin' rear ya got there!

My wife has said the same thing, but I know she is biased

Seriously, I hope nobody thinks that is my car. I just found that example on the internet at a time when I was considering making one for another car. I though it was interesting because it was not a stock one (as far as I can see), but homemade.

[manoa matt]

Launie, A little from column A, and a little from column B. No seriously, its something I've wondered about for a while. I tend not to undertake projects unless I can cover all the angles, or until I have all the parts. Do it once and do it right. Thats why I have so many upgrade parts that I haven't installed yet.

I've been told by a member of another Fiat forum that lowering the car 1 inch results in the diff moving 0.015" from its original position. So by that logic, a 2 inch drop would be 0.03" = 1/32" I find these numbers hard to believe since the rod is not made to "exacting specifications" also worn/old bushings would induce more variance than 1/32".

I doubt that even 1/32" would be enough to cause feathering or scrubbing of the rear tires. However someone else also warned that lowering it too much will change the driveshaft pinion angle, corrected with adjustable short trailing arms.

Now you guys are probably wondering, "how low are you going"? As little as possible to get the look I want. I'll be droping in a 2L engine which is heavier with ancilleries than the 1.8L, but I'll be loosing the bumpers, so the lowering of the car will be one of the last modifications on my long list of projects. I think the biggest issue lowering the car will not be the diff location, but a big 2.5" straight exhaust pipe to scrape all the speed bumps. Again, refer to paragraph #1 undertaking projects......so I guess I fall into column B.

[launieg]

Mark, how did you attach it to the dif? Please post a photo, if you ever get the chance.

Matt, I will looking forward to this project of yours. I have my own dreams, and I like to learn from those who actually do stuff!

[So Cal Mark]

I doubt I have any pics of that Watts linkage anymore, but I welded a large stud into the differential cover for the pivot.

[baltobernie]

Since we're on the subject ...

Have any of you ever investigated the possibility of a non-Fiat IRS? Something plentiful, so that the parts could come from salvage. Maybe early BMW?

[So Cal Mark]

Miata rear axle assy

[narfire]

Although my memory suffers at times, I seem to remember a post here last year where someone had tried putting the rear end from a subaru onto the fiat. There was comment about the shock supports being scabbed on and likely not strong enough.

[baltobernie]

Miata rear axle assy

(slapping forehead ) Of course! Anybody done this?

[manoa matt]

Mark, would the stamped sheet metal cover of the diff be strong enough to handle those forces without distorting the cover resulting in a massive gear oil leak? I've recently heard of someone boxing in the drop tower for the panhard bar to stiffen it up.

Please guys, NO FIATAS!!! I remember a similar thread where a newbie bought a car and had a post that said something like "does your fiat have an IRS?" The new owner bought a car that had been converted to IRS, but where the diff came from escapes me at the moment.

[Snoopy]

Look here: http://fiatspider.de/vb/showthread.php?t=3642
Thats whats build a spiderdriver...

[MNspiderman]

Thats a great site if you speak german . I might be german but i cant speak it