Hot Rods Front panhard bar, Model A frame w/wishbones

A question has come up a**** friends, does it make any difference which side of the frame, a front panhard bracket is mounted? The left frame rail has a brake line J-block and wiring, the right frame rail is clear, this bracket will be a bolted, not welded U-channel on a Model A boxed frame with wishbones. Cannot see how it would make a difference which frame rail is used, the goal is to keep the front axle centered, your thoughts please
Craig

 

I am probably going to get this backward but as I recall the pan hard bar going to the axle opposite from the steering box. So bracket steering box side frame rail and axle p*** side.

 

Your right Beano. HRP

 

Well that's a first I always think it is one way and then second guess myself and tell it the other. Glad I went with my first instincts this time.

 

On a race car, where every detail matters, it would possibly make a diffrence. The axle DOES move a bit side to side when the suspension moves, a panhard bar turned one way will make the car handle slightly diffrent in left turns than in right turns. If you were building a oval track racer that only turns one way some research would be in order to get the best possible handling turning that way, since (I ***ume) you are building a street car that will be going both ways equally, put it where it fits best.

 

Here is my theroy. Cross steer rod and panhard bar should be as close to same length as possible and mounted close as possible to same points. Just think of a 4 link only mounted sideways instead of front to back. Equal length equals same arc in movement and less reaction in up and down travel. Less movement at the steering wheel equals a much happier driver.
The Wizzard

 

Thanks fellas for your input.

 

Here's another thought. Instead of cluttering up the front end, on leaf spring axles, use a dead perch on one side. Frank Kurtis pioneered this on his midgets in 1946. It works!

 

I want to know more on the dead perch set up, don't see anything on supplier's web sites, sound very interesting to me, Dean, I sure appreciate the reply.

Craig

 

These are examples. HRP

 

Thanks for opening the door Dean
I'm sold on them if nothing more than eliminating the clutter of a panhard bar setup.
Craig--definitely go with the adjustable version, these were not available when I bought mine from the Deuce Factory many years ago.
For every guy that says they don't work as good as a panhard bar, you will find someone(who actually has used one) that says they work great.

 

Thanks Denny, helps a lot!!

 

I think So Cal has them now.

 

Today I ordered the dead perch set from So Cal, they are adjustable, we'll see how they work out, I lost my first Model A coupe to bump steer in the early 60's, don't want to loose this one, I'll post pics of the one lost, rolled it 2-1/2 times.

 

Question: how does the spring elongate when it is functioning as shackles would allow? Seems like it would affect the spring rate as well. I'm not a naysayer I'm just curious. I'm not sure how I missed these. They sound cool.

 

On compression, it pushes the whole beam to the side that the dead-perch is on.

 

So this set up is for Drag link not cross steer.
The Wizzard

 

One would hope, or it is not going to eliminate bump steer, but cause it.

 

You are sound in your reasoning sir, as usual.

 

Doing some investigation on the dead perch the last few weeks. Found a few spots mentioning that in order to get good results.. A flatter spring should be used. I was going to make my own...but after hearing about having a spring with minimum arc...I might need to use a panhard bar. Correct me if I'm wrong here on this.