A stubborn panhard rod

Trying to remove the panhard rod to replace the bushes, thought it would be one of the easier ones to do...no. Axle end had a castellated nut fitted with pin which was rusted solid in place, freed that with the gas axe and brute force but now I cannot remove the bolt because the it has corroded solid with the bush. Tried turning it with a long bar and the rubber has ripped, leaving the bolt and inner bush turning together. No room to get a grinder in without cutting into the mountings, really cant think of the next best step. Would love any advice!

I had this a few weeks ago, I cut the bolt on both sides of the bush I used a 4.5" grinder with a sliting disc, I cut most of the way through then used a big bar, I ended up breaking my no6 vice trying to press the new ones in, I gave up and took them for pressing in

What he said, get yourself some 1mm cutting disks from Machine Mart or Screwfix, there's just enough room to squeeze in there

Some replacement bushes are just to big.

The tube that goes through the bush is longer than the bush itself in sticks out a couple of mil either side, I went down the polybush route as I have no means of pressing standard bushes in and polybushes whack in with a hammer. I like hammers

I feel for you, they are a bit of a pain to get at. Did mine a few weeks ago. I kept spraying mine with penetrating fluid every day for about a week before doing it. One side came right off. The other side needed a good pounding with a heavy hammer many times and eventually it worked free. My 22mm spanner was bending as if it was made of cheese. I got the local garage to press in the genuine replacement bushes.

Thanks guys, I will take the grinder to it tomorrow night then. Have polybushes to go back in so hopefully will go back together nicely with new bolts and lots of copper grease.

Can you not get to the back of the bolt with a hammer and tap it out? I guess that would have been one of you first thoughts, but thought I ought to mention it!
You may be able to get a bar in there and tap the end of the bar instead?
Mine where tight and required some tapping to get them out.
I had more trouble with getting the bushes out though, my poor vice couldn't handle it, press is the only way.
I've got through 2 sets of bushes in the last few months, so I've just ordered myself some polys as they're easier to get in an out. Dunno how long they'll last though, I've only ever had bad experience with poly bushes.

Cutting the bolt may well be your only option... Good luck, take your time!

TheRealPlank said:

I've got through 2 sets of bushes in the last few months...

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Where they genuine LR ones?

Rebuild it all with heaps of copper slip on the bolt!

Last month I took two radius arms off an old Disco rolling chassis which has been sat outside for about 6 years. I took the breaker bar to the bolts to initially crack off the nuts and was then able to use a ratchet the rest of the way with no issue, not a single one was stuck or needed any ridiculous encouragement. Someone had kindly gone to the bother of copper slipping everything. It was so good I was able to just tap the bolts out or even pull them with my hand.

TheRealPlank said:

I've got through 2 sets of bushes in the last few months...

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Really? What the hell are you doing to them, even if they are made of cheese.

sp00k said:

Where they genuine LR ones?

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Yup, well OEM... Which is often misleading... I do lots of offroading, and although I don't hammer it as such, I've managed to chew the bushes up pretty quick. I never noticed before - and put all the wobbly steering down to the tyres. Once I replaced the bushes she drove like a dream so now I notice the bushes going before they get bad!

Are geniune landrover ones worth getting over OEM?

discomania said:

Really? What the hell are you doing to them, even if they are made of cheese.

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Offroading. As soon as they go a little bit it makes a massive (quiet scary) difference to the steering! So I like to swap em over before they get real bad!

discomania said:

Rebuild it all with heaps of copper slip on the bolt!

Last month I took two radius arms off an old Disco rolling chassis which has been sat outside for about 6 years. I took the breaker bar to the bolts to initially crack off the nuts and was then able to use a ratchet the rest of the way with no issue, not a single one was stuck or needed any ridiculous encouragement. Someone had kindly gone to the bother of copper slipping everything. It was so good I was able to just tap the bolts out or even pull them with my hand.

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Gonna get me some copper slip for the rebuild.

TheRealPlank said:

Yup, well OEM... Which is often misleading... I do lots of offroading, and although I don't hammer it as such, I've managed to chew the bushes up pretty quick. I never noticed before - and put all the wobbly steering down to the tyres. Once I replaced the bushes she drove like a dream so now I notice the bushes going before they get bad!

Are geniune landrover ones worth getting over OEM?

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In my experience the genuine bushes are far better than bushes that have been sold to me as OEM. I will no longer waste my money or time fitting none genuine bushes.
I think my Defender just rejects any parts which do not have Land Rover DNA so I am now very choosy when purchasing any spares.
I know that some parts are very expensive and none genuine parts will save some considerable money it can be the difference between having a truck which is running and one which is standing on the drive having to save up for the genuine part's.
Some people will be able to say "I have never fitted genuine parts and I have not experienced premature failures" this is not my experience.
The decision may not be as simple as only fit genuine parts, cost is a big consideration but in my opinion it is false economy to fit none genuine parts.
Please do not ask me if I have ever used parts that come in a blue box OK so yes I have but never again, the last part I purchased that came in at blue box did save me the trouble of fitting because it had failed in its packaging. It was a Hi/Lo switch fitted to the transfer gearbox and it was in pieces whilst still in its plastic bag. :lol:

TheRealPlank said:

Yup, well OEM... Which is often misleading... I do lots of offroading, and although I don't hammer it as such, I've managed to chew the bushes up pretty quick. I never noticed before - and put all the wobbly steering down to the tyres. Once I replaced the bushes she drove like a dream so now I notice the bushes going before they get bad!

Are geniune landrover ones worth getting over OEM?

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OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer


So Land Rover parts are made by the OEM Manufacturer but rebadged landrover. As long as you by from reputable places (not lieing about sources) the OEM and Landrover parts are identical and were made in the same factory / process etc

richard_paradox said:

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer


So Land Rover parts are made by the OEM Manufacturer but rebadged landrover. As long as you by from reputable places (not lieing about sources) the OEM and Landrover parts are identical and were made in the same factory / process etc

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"NO" this may not be a correct statement.
Just because they are made by the same company in the same factory will not guarantee the same quality.

Marmaduke said:

The tube that goes through the bush is longer than the bush itself in sticks out a couple of mil either side, I went down the polybush route as I have no means of pressing standard bushes in and polybushes whack in with a hammer. I like hammers

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I like hammer's too, and if the first one does not work fetch a bigger one. :lol:I find bearmach blue bushes are good and long lasting.

Just replace the whole panhard with a nice new one

I thought one of my bushes had gone in mine a few weeks back, I came to take it off and found one bolt was solid in the bush and I had to get a large bar and a hammer to get it out. The other came out like lightening, Probably because was a 12mm bolt...which explained the play!