Panhard Bars
Panhard Rods, Track Bars, and Watts Linkage all serve the same purpose - to laterally locate the axle within the vehicle body, and prevent side-to-side movement. They're used in live axle, multi-link suspension systems with coil springs or coilovers, where the trailing arms locate the axle longitudinally and allow vertical movement, but prevent fore-and-aft movement. If you have a performance machine, especially one that's been lifted or lowered, your factory lateral locating links may no longer be adequate. If so, we have the performance panhard rods, track bars, and watts linkage for the job.
The panhard rod was developed by the French automobile company of the same name in the early 20th century, and is generally associated with car rear suspension. Track bars are used on Jeeps and trucks to position the axle on front and rear suspensions. Watts Linkage is a more sophisticated arrangement consisting of 2 horizontal rods similar to panhard rods attached to opposite sides of the chassis and joined to a vertical rod that is mounted to the differential. Panhard rods and track bars locate the axle with respect to one side of the vehicle, and there is slight lateral repositioning as the rod/bar arcs with suspension movement. Watts Linkage keeps the axle perfectly centered throughout the range of suspension travel.
Like control arms, trailing links, and other original equipment suspension parts, factory panhard rods, track bars, and watts link setups are insufficient for performance use and don't have the features necessary to handle vehicle modifications. OE parts are typically made of stamped steel, which can twist and flex, and have rubber bushings, which can compress and deflect excessively, when you're going fast in the turns or launching hard. When you're driving at 10/10ths, the last thing you need is an axle that's doing the cha-cha. Our components provide the rigidity you need to eliminate unwanted movement. They're constructed from thick wall tubing and made from material like chrome moly steel, and employ firm polyurethane bushings, or spherical rod ends for stiffening with optimal articulation.
But in addition to the strength you need for chassis rigidity, our performance panhard rods, track bars, and watts link systems are also adjustable, which is an essential feature when you're changing ride height and installing other than stock size wheels and tires. When a vehicle is lifted or lowered, an OE, non-adjustable lateral locating component typically can't accommodate the change in relationship between the axle and the body. With our adjustable components, you can still keep the axle centered and prevent sideways movement, regardless of ride height. We also have a huge selection of panhard rod/track bar mounts and hardware including the beefed up designs needed for some applications as well as brackets that relocate the track bar mounting point to restore proper suspension geometry.
The ability to keep the axle centered is critical when installing different size wheels and tires, particularly on lowered vehicles where that all important “flush stance” is desired. The adjustability of our panhard rods and track bars ensures that you'll be able to locate the axle so there is the same amount of clearance in each wheel well, to prevent unwanted tire rubbing and contact. Finally, although functionality is preeminent, we haven't forgotten appearance. Our panhard rods, track bars and watts link systems all feature durable, weather and scratch resistant finishes that will complement the rest of your suspension mods and stay looking great even in the harsh undercar environment.