The Panhard Rod Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the components, functions, adjustment conditions, and mounting configurations of the Panhard rod based on the lecture text.

Rene Panhard

A French engineer who invented the Panhard rod.

Panhard rod

A rod or channeled beam, also known as a track bar, that allows the chassis to move up and down while preventing the axle assembly from moving side to side.

Track bar

Another name for a Panhard rod.

Dog tracking

An action where a vehicle travels down the road with the front end slightly offset from the rear end, occurring when the axle shifts and is not centered under the vehicle.

Heim joints

Components used by some aftermarket rods instead of rubber bushings that are similar to ball joints and allow for greater flexibility and strength.

First type of mounting stud

A mounting point that is essentially a ball joint permanently attached to the Panhard rod, requiring replacement of the entire Panhard rod assembly if the ball joint needs replacing.

Second type of mounting stud

A threaded rod portion of a bracket solidly mounted on either the frame or axle, over which the Panhard rod slides and is held in place with a nut.

Unibody Panhard rod mounting

A connection configuration found in most passenger cars where the Panhard rod connects to the chassis and the axle.

Full frame Panhard rod mounting

A connection configuration found most often in pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) where the Panhard rod connects to the frame and axle housing.