Panhard rod bolt size confusion.

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Flossie

Well-Known Member
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10,522
Location
Shropshire
IMG_20200823_135756_262.jpg
1986 original front axle.
Got some play in my panhard rod bushes (I thought) so after replacing them with cheapy bushes not so long ago I decided to splash out on some superpro ones . They came yesterday and I went to fit them today.
The axle end bolt looked fine having replaced it a year ago after repairing the elongated hole in the casing bracket, bush was good too but the bolt is not a snug fit in the old or the new superpro bush sleeve, not excessively loose just not as snug as I would like. Chassis end bush was also ok but the bolt had worn threads and causing the play. I've replaced the bushes with the superpro anyway and need to get a new bolt and nut from the local indy tomorrow.
Looking at the old bolts it appears that there is not enough plain shank/ too much thread meaning the bush sleeve and the chassis end/axle end mounting 'holes' are running on the bolt threads rather than the plain shank .
I've tried to show the thread wear in the pic and the length is 80mm.
It seems to me that another 10mm of plain shank will solve the issue?
Googling seems to show 2 types of bolt , unf and M14 , mine should be unf as far as I know and the worn bolts are unf.
I seem to recall the hockey stick bolts giving me issues years ago too.
Have I got the wrong bolts? Not easy to see but the first 10mm ISH of thread after the plain shank are worn away and the diameter has waisted by around 2/3 mm.
IMG_20200823_140132_518.jpg
 
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That has happened because they were loose, the inner sleeve should not move when the bolt is properly tight and so the length of the plain shank has no relevance. M14x80mm is the factory size.

Replace the bolt and do it up FT.
Local indy place has confirmed that the earlier bolt has been superseded by M14 X 80mm so I got one and did it up FT.
No play anywhere now after replacing both steering UJ's, drop arm complete, all three TRE's and phr bushes.
 
That has happened because they were loose, the inner sleeve should not move when the bolt is properly tight and so the length of the plain shank has no relevance. M14x80mm is the factory size.

Replace the bolt and do it up FT.
So, Flossie's bolts weren't tight enough?
And, those who suffer from ovalled panhard rod bolt lugs on the axle and chassis, do so because they have not fastened the bolts FT enough?
 
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So, Flossie's bolts weren't tight enough?
And, those who suffer from ovalled panhard rod bolt lugs on the axle and chassis, do so because they have not fastened the bolts FT enough?

In short, yes. If the bolt is loose it can move, movement causes wear. When tight there is no movement between bolt and bracket, so no wear can occur - other than in the rubber bush where it’s supposed to.
 
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