How do you adjust the rear end on a 6 inch drop?

[5150]

Hey guys,

Lowered the truck a few weeks ago and was wondering how to center the rear end with the 6 inch drop springs. I bought the adjustable panhard bar. It's not off VERY much maybe, a inch or two. One tire is just a little bit in the fenderwell a little more than the other one.

thanks,

Bryan

[Musclerodz]

If you have the adjustable panhard bar, all you do is lengthen it or shorten it to center the rear.

Mike

[5150]

I don't understand how that thing works. Mine attaches on one side of the frame and the other end attaches to the center of the rear end.

So making it longer doesn't seem to do anything.

[neonlarry]

It might not seem to but it does. Take a tape measure and measure from the backing plate flange to the inside of the opposite frame rail. Both sides should be the same if not shorten or lengthen the panhard bar accordingly.

[Musclerodz]

The frame side of the panhard bar is a fixed point. If you shorten the bar by screwing in the threads, it will bring the rear end closer to the side attached to the frame. If you unscrew the threads it will move it away from the side attached to the frame. Meaure the distance from the lip to the tire on both sides and subtract the two. Divide that number by two and that should be the distance you need to lengthen or shorten the panhard bar to center the axle.

Mike

[5150]

I have the end that actually screws in on the frame end. Is that my problem. I still confused on how to get it to bring it closer when they are fasten to the positions they are going to be in.

Bryan

[matthufham]

it doesn't matter if you put the "screw" part of the panhard bar on the frame or the differential. 1st you need to get it on there and take measurements. measure from the frame to the wheel both ways.

see that, measure like this in both directions from the frame to the wheel. the goal is to get the 2 measurements equal.

if it's too far to the right an inch, screw the panhard bar in so that it's an inch shorter. if it's an inch too far to the left, lengthen the panhard bar by unscrewing it an inch.

[5150]

Matt,

Mine is different than that one. Here's a pic of mine. One pic has it attached to the frame on the driver's side and the other pic is it attached to the rear end.

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL BAR

[70short/step]

Originally Posted by yellow69

Matt,

Mine is different than that one. Here's a pic of mine. One pic has it attached to the frame on the driver's side and the other pic is it attached to the rear end.

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL BAR

From your pics, if the rear end needs to move towards the passenger side you want to unscrew or lenghten the bar(that will push the rear to the right). If it needs to move towards the drive side you want to screw in or shorten the bar(this will pull the rear to the left).

[5150]

It needs to move towards the driver side about an inch. But how the hell to you shorten/lengthen it when it will only go into the hole at a CERTAIN length-The one it is now.

[cornutz]

I'll throw this in here and anyone can correct me if I am wrong.... but, I thought that if you are to lower the rear end this much, you should go with the super panhard style of bar, ie: it is longer with a different location of attachment to the axle? would this help him out any???

NutZ

[matthufham]

bryan, i have a stock suspension. the pic was for measurement references.

the way to do it is take off the adjustable panhard bar, shorten it, push the rear end to the driver side an inch or 2 (however possible) and then put the shorter panhard bar on. then check your measurements.

edit: it might be easier to jack the frame up a little so there's less tension on the coils. that'll make it easier to push the rear end to one side.

[5150]

Thanks Matt I'll try that

[dwcsr]

Yellow, you don't have an ajustable pan hard bar. You need to buy an ajustable bar and install it then you can adjust it.

[70short/step]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

Yellow, you don't have an ajustable pan hard bar. You need to buy an ajustable bar and install it then you can adjust it.

In the First post of this thread He states that he has bought an adjustable bar. The pic he posted he said was just for a reference!

[dwcsr]

missed that.

[Musclerodz]

Put you adjustable bar on and then show a pic of what you problem is. First pull the original bar off, center then rear end, and then adjust the new bar till it will fit. Simple as that.

Mike

[Tx Firefighter]

You have to pry on the truck to shift the rearend over so the bolt will go into the hole. You need a long board or prybar to move the truck sideways as needed. Pry it to whichever way it needs to go to center the rearend. Then , adjust the rod to the correct length and insert the bolt.

[5150]

I took off one side of the adjustable bar, but can't get this dang thing to shift over. I've beat on till my arm's about to fall off. It's not that much difference so I don't know what to do now.

Bryan

[el curioso]

Personal Trick #1 When I have done this I usually get a flatbed strap like the ones truckers use to hold their loads with and just lift the truck till all the weight is off the axle then tie it to the axle on one end and to the pole thats next to my porch and it makes things easyer unless some thing is buckling with the link assembly. Just remember that your truck is on stands. Tip: lift tires and add a slight coat of oil under them make's it easy to fine to with out that much bounce.

Personal Trick #2 Lift your truck with a high lift jack, cherry picker, or any thing that lifts preety high so that the axle stays on the ground disconnect the shocks. Once high enough the bolt on the axle and the panhard bar will aling and be set in.(bear in mind that you have to still manage to keep you axle centered. while doing both of these things.)

maybe this isnt what you need but there it is my 0.2 cents

[matthufham]

well i mentioned earlier, i jacked up the frame, and both pushed the frame some and pulled as hard as i could on the trailing arms when i had to get my panhard bar on after paint. it was off center because i was replacing the trailing arm bushings at the same time. if you have a come-a-long jack, hook it up to something and pull the rear end one direction and hope the whole truck doesn't pull with it.

it might help to remove the shocks, take all the load off the coils which is why i jacked the frame up, and also if you have wheel dollies, use them to your advantage.

[matthufham]

ttt, did you ever get this fixed bryan?

[5150]

No, Matt I gave up on it. It wasn't that much of a difference. I had to devote my time to fixing other things. I'll come back to this thread in a little while.

[67Fleet]

It shouldn't be that hard to do this, but I'll tell you it sure helps to have an extra person with you. I did mine this weekend with the help of a friend and we had it done in 5 minutes. Get it mocked up with the length you need and then mount the adjustbable track bar to the upper mount. Then have your helper center the rear while you slide the panhard over the mount on your rear end.

[5150]

Well, I took my truck up to a buddy of mine's shop to get the upper shock mount area fixed and welded. I asked him to see if he could look at the rear end and see if he could take a shot at it. He found that the passenger side of the rear end has been welded to the U-Bolt bottom bracket.

That might make it a little hard to move the rear end.