Panhard Rod

[Dane_Rescueman]

My nice new Vulcan engine is now run in fully. Yippee.
however, I notice that the car needs a better location for the Atlas four link rear axle. Has anyone fitted a Panhard Rod or Watts Linkage? I would be grateful for any ideas.
I have replaced all bushes with nylotron types and fitted new dampers which have improved the handling a lot. But with the extra acceleration and speed on twisty roads I am getting a bit of bump steer from the back end.

[greyV8pete]

Re: Panhard Rod

Hi Dane. Nothing ever fitted myself but the panhard rod on a mk1 ford fiesta that I drove, although weak construction, was very effective in controlling the back end.

Design-wise the Panhard rod still swings in an arc, with some lateral shift at extremes of movement, whereas watts linkage gives true vertical movement.

Have a look at
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&um=1&sa=1&q=Watts+Linkage &aq=f&oq=
which I found by searching Google for Watts Linkage. I have only seen watts set-up where the centre pivot is mounted on the centre of the diff (more unsprung weight) whereas this weblink pic 8 shows pivot mounted on body / frame and attached at each end of the axle. Hope this gives food for thought with your design. Peter.

[greyV8pete]

Re: Panhard Rod

Hi again Dane. Have just found Watts Linkage Kit - Suit Atlas Rear Axle at http://www.group4fabrications.com/
OK so I really need to get out more! ;-)Peter

[Dane_Rescueman]

Re: Panhard Rod

Thanks for your effort Peter. I will certainly explore the Panhard route as I shall not be racing the poor car. A Watts would be the icing on the cake but if I have to make up my own control then the Pamhard route is much easier. I'll let you know how I get on (er, or go off!).

[greyV8pete]

Re: Panhard Rod

Dane, have a look at this link:

http://www.se-r.net/about/g20/scc/oct98/tb.html

It describes the "Scott-Russel lateral locator link". Never heard of it before but it is delightfully simple and has the same true vertical movement as the Watts linkage! Interesting if you read down through the article that you can get enough "sliding" movement of the end link from a bush that only flexes in one direction. Peter.

[Dane_Rescueman]

Re: Panhard Rod

Peter, I wonder why we have not used this idea before. I notice that Nissan have built a linear version of the Scot-Russel link into their new saloon's dead axle. I have ordered a book with the S-R details and will build a mock up and test it to destruction before making one for Moll!
Thanks for the heads up!
Dane.

[greyV8pete]

Re: Panhard Rod

No probs Dane. The forum is good for the brain methinks! I end up remembering stuff I had long forgotten & learning stuff that I didn't know that I needed to know! :-o

P.S. The SW monthly lunch meetings seem to have evaporated. Any plans at your end? You can call me on 01392446928 if you'd like to meet up again? I am free this Sunday. BR. Peter.

[jon_cox]

Re: Panhard Rod

Check this out
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/frontline/rearsus.htm
I have seen this in the flesh as the company are just down the road from me. It works a treat and is attached to the chassis so no added unsprung weight....

[jon_cox]

Re: Panhard Rod

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/frontline/rearsus.htm


oops

[jon_cox]

Re: Panhard Rod

AAAHHH... Whats wrong with this thing
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/frontline/rearsus.htm