Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (Full Version)

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Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics)

  

TacoBill -> Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/25/2008 10:25:15 AM)

Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation

Installation was performed on Leo_06GT’s 2006 GT (hardtop, Automatic). Both the panhard bar and lateral stiffener are from Steeda. Leo selected Steeda because of the ‘maintenance free’ bushings that do not require greasing.

Installation time: 1-2 hours (depending on level of experience and tool availability)

Tools/Materials needed:
Jack stands (or ramps)
Metric sockets (standard depth and deep) – 15mm, 18mm
Various length socket extensions
Metric wrenches (optional) – 15mm, 18mm
Breaker bar (optional, but handy)
Torque wrench capable up to 129 lb-ft
Loctite
Grease
Marker pen (or white-out)
String
Tape
Ruler


1. Safely load the rear axle up in the air. Jack stands placed on the outward ends of the axle tubes or the use of car ramps will suffice. Be sure to chock the front tires.


2. Remove the factory panhard bar.

Plastic cover over Drivers side panhard bar attaching bolt.
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8440.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8441.jpg[/image]

This bolt is on tight, breaker bar may be required.

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8446.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8447.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8448.jpg[/image]

Moving to the Passenger side, remove the 18mm bolt and flag nut.
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8451.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8453.jpg[/image]

Note: The factory installed Leo’s panhard bolt on the wrong side (per the service manual). The swaybar end link interfered with the removal of the bolt, so the link had to be unbolted from the body to provide the clearance.
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8454.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8457.jpg[/image]

Panhard bar removed.
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8458.jpg[/image]


3. Remove the lateral stiffener bar.
Drivers side, (2) bolts, 15mm socket.
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8460.jpg[/image]

Passenger side, flag bolt, 18mm deep socket or wrench.
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8461.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8462.jpg[/image]


Side-by-Side comparison
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8465.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8467.jpg[/image]


4. Install the Steeda lateral stiffener bar.
Re-use the factory hardware, install tight. Torque once both ends are in.
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8469.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8471.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8472.jpg[/image]

Torque
(2) Drivers side bolts: 46 lb-ft
(1) Passenger side flag bolt: 85 lb-ft
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8473.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8475.jpg[/image]


Lateral stiffener bar installed complete.

Note: Ensure clearance between the lateral bar and the exhaust over-axle pipe. If touching (or too close), adjust from the mid-pipe exhaust clamps and/or over-axle clamps.

Note: If the swaybar endlink was removed, re-install it.

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8477.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8478.jpg[/image]

[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/tacobill35/Misc%20reference%20pics/Leo_PHB_brace%20install/IMG_8481.jpg[/image]


5. Install the Steeda adjustable panhard bar.
Adjust the length of the Steeda bar to match the factory bar; use factory bolts as a guide.

[f

  
lldsandsll -> RE: Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/25/2008 10:30:48 AM)

cool! how's he like it?

timothyrw -> RE: Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/25/2008 1:07:06 PM)

Awesome...  this 'how to' and all your others are making me think that I could do this install myself when I lower my car in a month or so...  I was planning on having a shop do it for $350.  (Dspecs and Steeda Ultralites, Adj Panhard, Brace)

A couple questions, anyone who knows can answer:

1. By "lateral stiffener bar" are you talking about the Steeda Panhard Brace?  From the pictures it looks the same but I've never heard it called that.

2. Step #6, I think someone on here said using body panels to adjust the panhard was not a good idea.  Comments?  

timothyrw -> RE: Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/25/2008 1:11:15 PM)

whoops...

americaniron -> RE: Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/25/2008 1:31:55 PM)

Awesome write up, thanks.

TASSY5 -> RE: Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/25/2008 2:01:39 PM)

Another great install write up as usual.

Thanks, bill


TASSY5

howarmat -> RE: Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/25/2008 3:01:05 PM)

Great job Bill....i will update your sticky immediately!

TacoBill -> RE: Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/25/2008 5:00:42 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: timothyrw

A couple questions, anyone who knows can answer:

1. By "lateral stiffener bar" are you talking about the Steeda Panhard Brace?  From the pictures it looks the same but I've never heard it called that.

2. Step #6, I think someone on here said using body panels to adjust the panhard was not a good idea.  Comments?  

1.  Yes, just going by what the Factory Service Manual calls it.

2.  The included Steeda instructions has you set the pandhard bar the same way, by using the rear fender to wheel/tire via string method.

Most people (if not all) add an adjustable panard bar to correct the visual shifting of the rear axle (in relation to the fender lip) when running wider tires and/or lowering it.

timothyrw -> RE: Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/26/2008 8:30:37 AM)

thank you much, sir!

since you have installed everything i wanted to install (minus Dspecs), looks like i'll be doing the install myself (w/the help of a friend).

awesome...

NyFordTech -> RE: Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/26/2008 9:16:45 AM)

Great Write up as always Bill

black S197 -> RE: Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar and Lateral Stiffener Bar installation (w/pics) (1/27/2008 2:34:07 PM)

I have the same setup. Except my has a golden color coating. 

  

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