Another Build Thread - My '32

[J. Robinson]

The last piece I need to finalize this front suspension is a panhard bar. The torsion bars do not keep "stretch tension" or preload on the shackles like a leaf spring does, so some other means of keeping the axle centered is required. Also, I plan to cross steer this car, so some means of positive centering would be required anyway. I will keep the bar fairly short in this application for two reasons. First, and most importantly, the attachment points need to be located so that the torsion arms can be removed/replaced without interference and, secondly, so that it's not readily visible when the car is finished. The common practice of panhard bar installation is to keep the bar as long as possible so it has the least geometric influence on the suspension as it moves up and down. I can get away with a short bar here because front end travel is fairly limited on this type of car.

OK, the first task is to fabricate the bracketry needed for this installation. The bracket for the beam axle is simply a piece of 1/4 inch plate with a 1/2 inch hole. The (grade 8) bolt will be inserted through the hole and welded in place. This piece is then welded to the back side of the axle near the left frame rail, but inboard far enough to allow torsion arm removal.

The bracket for the frame will attach to the right side of the front crossmember just inboard of the torsion arm. It is designed to reach down far enough so that the panhard bar will be parallel to the ground. Notice it has two holes - that is so, if I ever need to, I can raise the front end and still keep the panhard bar parallel to the ground. This bracket is also made from 1/4 inch plate and the little gusset pieces are made so that it will fit straight on the tapered end of the crossmember. I welded the gusset pieces onto the bracket first and then tacked the whole piece in place.

With the brackets in place I then center the axle, measure the spread between the brackets, and fabricate the bar. I use the same process for fab'ing the bar as I did the front radius rods; thread inserts welded into the ends of appropriate length tubing.

OK, with all the pieces in place I can now blow this apart and finalize the welding. When that is done I will roll it over and move on to the rear suspension.