Panhard Rods with Fitting Position Front Axle

A panhard rod, also called a panhard bar or track bar, keeps a solid axle centred under the vehicle. It runs across the vehicle from the chassis on one side to the axle on the other, stopping the axle from moving sideways as the suspension compresses and extends. When it?s worn, the wrong length or no longer at the right angle, the axle shifts off-centre and the vehicle starts to wander, lean and wear tyres unevenly.

Nolathane panhard rods restore correct lateral axle location on coil sprung 4WDs, 4x4 pick-ups and solid rear axle passenger vehicles. Adjustable designs re-centre the axle after a lift or lowering, while heavy duty construction stands up to towing, touring and off-road use.

How a Panhard Rod Works

A solid axle needs to be located in two directions. Trailing arms, radius arms or links control fore and aft movement, while the panhard rod controls side-to-side movement. Because one end is mounted to the chassis and the other to the axle, the rod pivots through an arc as the suspension moves. That arc means the axle moves slightly sideways through its travel, which is normal and designed into the factory geometry.

The rod is set so the axle sits centred at the vehicle?s standard ride height. Change the ride height and the rod?s angle changes too, pulling the axle towards the chassis mount side.

Signs of a Worn or Incorrect Panhard Rod

• The axle sits visibly off-centre, with the wheel closer to the guard on one side
• Steering that wanders or needs constant correction, especially on a lifted 4WD
• A clunk or knock over bumps or when changing direction
• Body sway or a sense of the rear stepping sideways on rough roads
• Uneven tyre wear, or tyres rubbing on one side at full lock or compression
• Cracked, split or perished bushes at either end of the rod
• Play at a spherical bearing or elongated mounting holes

Worn panhard rod bushes are a common cause of these symptoms. If the rod itself is straight and correctly sized, replacing the bushes may be enough. If it?s bent, the ends are worn, or the vehicle?s height has changed, a complete rod is the better fix.

Adjustable vs Fixed Panhard Rods

A fixed panhard rod is built to the factory length and suits a vehicle running at standard ride height. It?s the correct choice for a straight replacement where the original rod is bent, damaged or worn out.

An adjustable panhard rod can be lengthened or shortened to re-centre the axle. That matters whenever the ride height changes:

• Lifted 4WDs: raising the body increases the rod?s angle, pulling the axle sideways. Lengthening the rod pushes it back to centre.
• Lowered vehicles: dropping the body changes the angle the other way, and an adjustable rod corrects the offset.
• Load changes: vehicles that permanently carry heavy accessories, a canopy or a camper often settle at a different height to standard.

Adjustable rods are either off-car adjustable, set to length before fitting, or on-car adjustable, which can be fine-tuned while installed. Each listing shows which type it is.

Panhard Rod Extensions vs Complete Rods

Extension brackets that relocate one end of the factory rod are another way to correct axle position after a lift. They can work for modest height changes, but they add another joint and leave the original rod and its ends in service. A complete adjustable panhard rod replaces the worn parts at the same time, gives a wider adjustment range, and can be reset if ride height changes again later.

Construction and Durability

A panhard rod carries every sideways load the axle sees, from cornering and crosswinds to the side loads of driving across ruts and off-camber tracks. When comparing panhard rods from different brands, look at the materials, the end design and the adjustment method rather than price alone.

Nolathane heavy duty adjustable rods use DOM (drawn over mandrel) steel tube with forged ends for strength. Depending on the application, ends use either a spherical bearing for precise, low-friction location or Nolathane bushings designed for quiet operation. Some rods are shaped with a bend to clear the exhaust or other components where a straight rod would knock under load. Each listing shows the construction, end type and fitting position.

Vehicles Suited to Panhard Rods

Panhard rods are used on solid axle suspensions, including:

• Coil sprung 4WDs and 4x4 wagons with a solid front axle, solid rear axle or both
• Coil sprung pick-ups with a solid rear axle
• Older passenger cars with a coil sprung solid rear axle
• Lifted touring vehicles and lowered street vehicles that need the axle re-centred

Leaf sprung axles are located sideways by the springs themselves, and independent suspensions use control arms, so neither uses a panhard rod. Front and rear rods are different parts, so always confirm the fitting position.

Fitting and Setting a Panhard Rod

Fitting suits professional workshops and experienced home mechanics. As a general guide:

1. Park the vehicle on level ground at its normal ride height, loaded as it?s usually driven.
2. Measure the axle position by comparing the distance from each wheel or the axle housing to a fixed point on the chassis on both sides.
3. Set an adjustable rod?s length off the vehicle, then support the axle and remove the old rod.
4. Fit the new rod, aligning the bolt holes without forcing the axle sideways with a jack or bar if possible.
5. Torque the mounting bolts at ride height, never with the suspension hanging, and tighten any lock nuts on the adjuster.
6. Re-measure the axle position, adjust if needed, then have the wheel alignment (tracking) checked, especially on the front axle where axle position affects steering.

Re-check mounting bolt torque after the first drive and at the next service. If the steering wheel is off-centre after re-centring the front axle, the drag link may also need adjustment.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

A panhard rod corrects sideways axle position, not every geometry change from a lift. Large lifts may also need caster correction, longer brake lines or other components. Because the rod moves through an arc, some sideways axle movement through the travel is normal, and a steeper rod angle increases it. An adjustable rod centres the axle at ride height but can?t fully restore factory geometry on a heavily lifted vehicle.

Any change to ride height should meet the vehicle standards where the vehicle is registered, as rules on modifications vary between European countries (including periodic inspections). Tell your insurer about suspension modifications.

The Nolathane Difference

Nolathane has been making polyurethane suspension bushings since 1974, originally developed to replace brass bushes in hillclimb competition. More than 50 years later, the same focus on durable, well-located suspension goes into every panhard rod. The signature red polyurethane bushings are made in a range of durometers (hardness grades) for each position and resist oil, grease, ozone and weathering, which suits 4WDs and towing vehicles that work hard.

Shop Panhard Rods

Panhard rods are one of the axle repairs covered by Nolathane's suspension parts range.

Find the panhard rod for your vehicle, then order online with fast shipping or have it fitted by a Nolathane reseller. Every rod is backed by our warranty and our fitment guarantee, 60-day returns give you time if a part isn?t right, and our local support team can help whether you?re repairing worn suspension, replacing components or re-centring the axle after a lift.