Philip Loring's Panhard Rods

Philip Loring's Panhard Rods Recently, Owner Philip Loring visited Williams Morgan at Chipping Sodbury to have his new Suplex Suspension adjusted. While there, A Panhard Rod was fitted as well as new Alco Shock Absorbers to enhance the Suplex Front Suspension Ride. The Leaf Spring Clamp End A Panhard rod (also called Panhard bar) is a suspension link that provides lateral location of the axle. [1]  Originally invented by the Panhard automobile company of France in the early twentieth century, this device has been widely used ever since. (Wikipedia) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panhard_rod On the Morgan it is the Silver Bar located above the Rear Axle.  The Offside end is clamped to the Leaf Spring preventing any lateral movement of the Axle and the Leaf Spring. The Square Black Rod which can be seen just above it is an additional Rigid Steel Bar attached to the Chassis on both sides of the car. The Tie Bar End The Purpose of the Extra Black Bar can be observed at the Nearside end where that opposite end of the Panhard Rod is secured.  The Rod has Rubber joints in the Eyes at each end to prevent any stresses on the joints. For the DIY enthusiasts, Panhard Rod Kits are available from Peter Mulberry's Mulfab business.  Looking at the photos this may well be the same kit that Williams Morgan use? http://www.mulfab.co.uk/ I apologise for the poor copy of the pages below, due to my scanning and enlarging to the current size for ease of reading. Panhard Rod Installation Instructions version 2.0 - 2004 - 06 - 17 Mulberry Fabrications Important Note! With all of the following steps appropriate safety equipment must be used. This includes, but is not exclusive, Axle Stands, Safety Glasses or Goggles, and Personal Protection Equipment. When Reading these instructions Nearside (N/S) and Offside (O/S) are as follows: Standing at the rear of the vehicle and facing the front, the N/S is the left side and the O/S is to the right. Pictures used also show 'other' Mulberry Fabrications products. Please ring us for details. Different Variants. Because of different variants these instructions need slight modification for 1983 to 1992 EFI Cars. In the case of these cars the cross member is fitted with the mounting lug to the O/S of the car (effectively fitting is a mirror image of the photographs) the mounting plates therefor go on the N/S spring assembly. All other instructions remain the same. Contents List of Kit 1. - Panhard Crossmember - Painted Black 2. - Panhard Bar with 2 Rod Ends and Locknuts ( Item 2. in Photos ) 3. - 2 Spring Clamps ( Item 3. in Photos ) 4. - 4 off x 5/16th UNF x 2,1/2in long Bolts & Nyloc Nuts for Spring Clamp. 5. - 8 off x 5/16th UNF x 3/4in long Bolts & Nyloc Nuts for Cross Member to Chassis. 6. - 1 off x 7/16th UNF x 2in long Bolts & Nyloc Nut for Panhard Rod to Spring Clamp. Step 1. Raise the rear of the vehicle to a convenient working height. Place Axle Stands under the Rear Axle and chock the front wheels. Check Vehicle security on the axle stands. Step 2.  Place the Panhard Rod Cross Member temporarily in place. Clamp with either G Clamps of Mole Grips. The Cross member is correct when the Panhard Rod mounting lug ( Item 1. ) is to the N/S of the vehicle with the Lug facing forward ( See Photo ) Note! - The Cross Member has a small tolerance in its positioning left & right. It should be clamped as close as possible to the rear Fuel Tank Floorboard Cross Member and placed as central as possible ( ensure that the distance at either end of the Cross Member is equal when measured against the Chassis Rail ) Step 3. Drill through from the underside one of the 4 mounting holes at either end of the Cross Member. Replace the G Clamp or Mole Grips with one of the supplied bolts, nuts and washers at either end, finger tighten only. Now drill the remaining 6 holes, 3 at either end and fit the bolts, nuts and washers.  Tighten all fasteners.  Step 4.  Fit the Spring Clamps ( item 3. ) to the O/S spring by first assembling the bolts through the upper plate and lowering it into position. Fit the Lower Spring Clamp Plate and the integral-'mounting lug' ( item 4 ) towards the centre of the vehicle, and finger tighten the supplied nuts and washers ( see photo ). Ensure the Spring Clamp Assembly is positioned towards the front of the car so that it abuts the U-bolt spring mounting ( i.e. as far forward as possible ). Tighten all fasteners. Step 5. Fit the Non Adjustable end of the Panhard Rod to the Cross Member Lug ( item 1. ) with the bolt supplied, finger tight only. Adjust the Rod End ( item 5 ) until the supplied bolt will correctly align with the bolt hole in the Spring Clamp Plate ( item 3. ) Finger tighten. Special Note !  The Rod Ends are right hand threaded at one end left hand threaded at the other. Ensure you are turning them correctly, especially when tightening the nuts. Tighten Rod End ( item 5. ) nuts. Now re-check alignment of the bolt and bolt hole in the Spring Clamp. Adjust if required. Now tighten the Panhard Mounting Bolts at either end location lugs. Step 6. Finally check all fastenings for security. Note! After 200 miles recheck the security of ALL fasteners and mountings. Step 7. Carefully lower the vehicle to the ground.