Panhard Rod Bushes with Fitting Position Front and Rear, Rear Axle for HSV MALOO VR, VS

Nolathane panhard rod bushes, also called panhard bushes or track bar bushes, replace the worn bushes at each end of the VR, VS MALOO panhard rod. The rod is the only thing stopping a solid axle from moving sideways under the vehicle, and it does that job through just two bushes, one at the chassis and one at the axle or differential housing. When those bushes wear, the axle starts shifting left and right, and the vehicle feels loose and unpredictable.

Polyurethane panhard bushes restore tight lateral axle location on coil sprung 4WDs and 4x4 wagons, utes, classic passenger cars, performance cars and commercial vans with solid axles. They?re a low-cost, high-impact repair that often transforms how a vehicle steers and tracks.

What Panhard Rod Bushes Do on the VR, VS MALOO

A panhard rod runs across the vehicle, with one end bolted to the chassis and the other to the axle. As the suspension moves up and down, the rod pivots on its bushes while holding the axle centred.

The bushes have two jobs. They let the rod pivot smoothly through the suspension?s travel, and they resist the large sideways forces created by cornering, crosswinds, road camber and off-camber tracks. Because there are only two bushes carrying all of that lateral load, even a small amount of wear translates directly into axle movement.

Why Panhard Bushes Wear Faster Than Most

• They carry all the sideways load on the axle through just two pivots
• Larger tyres and lifted suspension increase the leverage on the bushes
• Off-road driving and corrugations load them repeatedly from side to side
• Water, mud and grit work into the bush at the axle end
• Rubber hardens and cracks with heat, ozone and age

On many 4WDs, panhard bushes wear out well before other suspension bushes, especially on vehicles that tow, tour or run larger tyres.

Signs of Worn VR, VS MALOO Panhard Bushes

• The vehicle wanders or feels like it?s floating on the road
• A clunk or knock from the front or rear when turning, changing lanes or going over uneven ground
• Vague steering that needs constant small corrections, especially at highway speed
• Speed wobble or shimmy on lifted solid front axle 4WDs
• Uneven tyre wear
• Visible movement at the panhard rod ends when someone turns the steering wheel back and forth with the engine running
• Cracked, split or misshapen rubber at either end of the rod

A quick check is to watch the panhard rod while a helper rocks the steering wheel. If the rod end moves in its mount before the axle moves, the bushes are worn. These symptoms are often blamed on tyre pressures, alignment or steering components before the panhard bushes are checked.

Bushes or a Complete Panhard Rod for Your VR, VS MALOO

Replacing the bushes is the right repair when the rod itself is straight, the mounting holes in the chassis and axle brackets are undamaged, and the vehicle?s ride height hasn?t changed significantly.

A complete panhard rod may be the better option when:

• The rod is bent from an off-road impact
• The bush housings at the rod ends are worn, oval or cracked
• The vehicle has been lifted and the axle now sits off-centre
• An adjustable rod is needed to re-centre the axle

Replacing worn bushes in a rod that is otherwise sound restores correct axle location at a fraction of the cost of a new rod.

Polyurethane vs Rubber and Genuine Bushes

Factory and genuine replacement panhard bushes are usually rubber. They?re designed to be quiet, but they deflect under sideways load, and they eventually harden, crack and split. A genuine rubber bush restores the original feel, but it also brings back the original wear rate.

Polyurethane panhard bushes hold the rod and axle more firmly and last longer under the high side loads of touring, towing and off-road driving. Nolathane has been making polyurethane suspension bushings since 1974, originally developed to replace brass bushes in hillclimb competition. The signature red bushings are made in a range of durometers (hardness grades) for each position, and offer outstanding abrasion resistance, high load-bearing capability, increased tensile strength, and resistance to oil, grease, ozone and weathering.

The honest trade-off is that firmer bushes can pass slightly more road feel into the cabin. Most drivers notice tighter, more confident steering and tracking rather than harshness.

Getting the Best Value From a Panhard Bush Replacement

Panhard bushes are among the most cost-effective suspension repairs on a solid axle vehicle, because the parts are inexpensive and the job is usually quick. To get the most from it:

• Replace both bushes on the rod at the same time
• Check the other end of the steering and suspension, including tie rod ends, drag link, steering damper and radius arm bushes, as worn parts there cause similar symptoms
• Replace the front and rear panhard bushes together on vehicles with a panhard rod at each axle
• Fit polyurethane bushes so the repair lasts longer than another set of rubber bushes would

Matching the Right Kit for Your VR, VS MALOO

Panhard bushes differ between vehicles, front and rear axles, and model years. Some vehicles use different bush styles at the chassis and axle ends, and some later models use a bearing-type mount at one end. Confirm the axle, the vehicle variant and the style of the existing mount before ordering. Each listing shows the position and the vehicles the kit suits, and our fitment guarantee means the kit you order for your VR, VS MALOO is confirmed to suit it.

Replacing Panhard Rod Bushes on Your VR, VS MALOO

Panhard bush replacement suits professional workshops and experienced home mechanics. As a general guide:

1. Park on level ground and support the vehicle securely, keeping the vehicle at or near ride height if possible.
2. Remove the panhard rod mounting bolts and take the rod out.
3. Remove the old bushes, which may need a press, and clean the bush housings.
4. Fit the new bushes with a grease suitable for polyurethane, such as a silicone or PTFE-based grease.
5. Refit the rod. If the bolt holes don?t line up, have someone turn the steering slightly or move the body sideways rather than forcing the axle with a jack.
6. Tighten the mounting bolts to specification with the vehicle at ride height.
7. Road test, then have a wheel alignment (tracking) checked, especially on the front axle.

Re-check bolt torque after the first drive and at the next service.

Shop Panhard Rod Bushes for Your VR, VS MALOO

Find the panhard bushes for your VR, VS MALOO, then order online with fast shipping or have them fitted by a Nolathane reseller. Every kit is backed by Nolathane?s warranty, 60-day returns give you time if a part isn?t right, and our local support team can help whether you?re curing wander on a touring 4WD, repairing worn factory rubber or restoring a classic.