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Trackick panhard rod/track bar for rear axle?

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gieio

Trackick panhard rod/track bar for rear axle?
« on: May 23, 2007, 02:04:14 PM »
Has anyone ever added a track bar/panhard rod to the rear axle of an 89-98 trackick to improve the 3-links tendency to wander at highway speeds?  Are there any good vehicles to look for in the bone yard, that would have an ideal sized track bar, or should I just go with the calmini sway bar kit?  I love the flex of the 3-link setup, but at speeds above 50 mph the rear end tends to get squirrelly.  Thanks for any ideas.  Rich
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Offline crikeymike

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Re: Trackick panhard rod/track bar for rear axle?
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2007, 02:10:50 PM »
I don't think it would be worth the effort.  Replace all the bushes in the control arms and upper a-arm if it's squirrely.  At 85mph mine doesn't move around at all
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Offline ebewley

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Re: Trackick panhard rod/track bar for rear axle?
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2007, 03:09:18 PM »
Quote from: gieio on May 23, 2007, 02:04:14 PM
Has anyone ever added a track bar/panhard rod to the rear axle of an 89-98 trackick to improve the 3-links tendency to wander at highway speeds?  Are there any good vehicles to look for in the bone yard, that would have an ideal sized track bar, or should I just go with the calmini sway bar kit?  I love the flex of the 3-link setup, but at speeds above 50 mph the rear end tends to get squirrelly.  Thanks for any ideas.  Rich

Having a triangulated 3 link and a panhard bar wouldn't work too well together. They would be fighting each other all the time as the suspension moved and sooner or later, one of them would lose (break). I'd check your bushings and make sure everything is tight and correct on your stock set up. It shouldn't be wandering.

Do you have a locker and different tire pressures?

-Eric
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Offline Drone637

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Re: Trackick panhard rod/track bar for rear axle?
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2007, 01:50:21 PM »
I installed a Anti-Sway bar in the rear when I found the handling at high speeds a bit off after installing softer rear shocks and a 1" spacer in the rear.  That pretty much solved all of the handling problems I was having.

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kingzoo

Re: Trackick panhard rod/track bar for rear axle?
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2007, 05:51:37 PM »
  I agree,adding the panhard bar would definately cause problems.Checking the bushings is the right call,as they are the most likely culprit.Adding a sway bar can only help,as is usualy a good thing.
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gieio

Re: Trackick panhard rod/track bar for rear axle?
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2007, 12:37:42 PM »
Quote from: Drone637 on May 24, 2007, 01:50:21 PM
I installed a Anti-Sway bar in the rear when I found the handling at high speeds a bit off after installing softer rear shocks and a 1" spacer in the rear.  That pretty much solved all of the handling problems I was having.


What anti-sway bar did you use? Does someone make a kit for the rear only? The Calmini kit is for the front as well, and I can't see replacing a perfectly good front sway bar.  Thanks, Rich
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Offline Drone637

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Re: Trackick panhard rod/track bar for rear axle?
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2007, 07:09:55 PM »
Quote from: gieio on May 28, 2007, 12:37:42 PM
What anti-sway bar did you use? Does someone make a kit for the rear only? The Calmini kit is for the front as well, and I can't see replacing a perfectly good front sway bar.  Thanks, Rich

I bought the full Calmini kit and just didn't replace the front sway bar.

Stock the kit didn't work, the bar is bent for a lifted or lowered Tracker and didn't come close to fitting on my 96 with a 1" spacer lift in the rear.  Luckily we were able to press out the bend so it would work properly.  I also wasn't impressed by the mounting on the rear axle.  It is held on by a couple hose clamps.  I put an extra one on each side so it's held on by two, but I still would have liked a bit better mounting system.  But it works, and the Tracker handles a lot better.  Like a sports car.  :)

Ebewley mentioned that he just used an after market one from Circle Track, I did a search on Summit Racing and found a couple but decided to buy the Calmini kit.  Just get one that matches the width of your frame.
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Offline ebewley

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Re: Trackick panhard rod/track bar for rear axle?
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2007, 07:53:33 AM »
Quote from: Drone637 on May 28, 2007, 07:09:55 PM

Ebewley mentioned that he just used an after market one from Circle Track, I did a search on Summit Racing and found a couple but decided to buy the Calmini kit.  Just get one that matches the width of your frame.


Lots of good product here. This is where I got my sway bar components.

http://www.1speedway.com/Online_Catalog.htm

BUT, I don't think this is the solution for this thread's problem.

-Eric
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Offline urbanwheeler

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Re: Trackick panhard rod/track bar for rear axle?
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2007, 12:56:36 PM »
Mine wanders at freeway speeds as well, but I think it might be alignment related. It also always wants to pull to one side(left or right) depending on which way the road is crowned. The only down side to this is that it attracts unwanted attention from johnny law, mostly because it bobs up and down due to the stiff suspension and short wheel base, and the fact that its steering box needs to be adjusted to remove the slop. Does anyone know how to adjust the steering box on the sidekick/tracker models?
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