modified wrench for panhard bar jam nut

[nyuk98GT]

S197ers:

Installed the panhard bar today and ran into a bit of a problem with the frame-side jam nut. The open end of the wrench (Kobalt 1-1/8") was too snug in the frame box to allow tightening the nut. So, I had to modify the box end so that it looked like a brake line wrench. See attached pic. I'm posting this so others might avoid the hassle of not being able to tighten up the jam nut that is well protected by the frame box.

Of course, if there is a wrench for this purpose that everybody here knows about and I haven't got the memo, well, what the heck.

Chris

 

[mot250]

Good solution! That's something the panhard bar makers don't tell you. Though there are a few bars with the adjustment in the middle rather than on the ends

 

[skwerl]

What brand did you buy?

 

[nyuk98GT]

mot250: Thanks! I just looked at Sears and found a bunch of "crowfoot flare" wrenches and that, I think, is the proper tool to buy. Some are like short sockets with a cut-out so the nut would be wrapped nicely. I suppose I should have planned my work a little better, lol.

skwerl: I went with the Steeda bar and support bar (through LMR). Not shilling for LMR but, for me, they have good prices and ship quickly.

I have to say that the car looks much better with the same amount of wheel/tire sticking out from the fenders! Of course, most people don't notice stuff like that but I do and I like things to be "just so". Call it a Mustang mental affliction.

Chris

 

[skwerl]

LMR is great, I just wanted to know which panhard bar had the poorly designed jam nut location. I haven't seen any others as difficult as you're describing. Seems everybody else saw the obvious conflict and designed their bars so that they could be installed with basic tools.

 

[Grabber Blue 5.0]

With the BMR panhard bar there is no need to hack up any tools.

 

[nyuk98GT]

Well, skwerl, everybody except me, lol.

I will call Steeda this week and give them my two cents. It was an easy job (even in the muggy heat) other than getting that jam nut tightened down.

Grabber Blue 5.0: Hack up tools?? No, Sir, not hacking, just trying to come up with the next best thing since sliced bread. I guess I won't quit my day job since the 'crowfoot flare wrench' appears to be readily available at any hardware store. sigh. At least the cafeteria has mac & cheese on the menu tomorrow.

Chris

 

[JohnnyGMachine]

I had to do the same thing but ya know - it's no big deal. I had a cheap second (or third) wrench that I cut and machined to do it. Only took a minute and got it on no problem. Yeah ya shouldn't have to do it but maybe a suggestion would be to include a simple custom cut wrench with each panhard bar? You could water jet 'em out cheap - make 'em like a spanner wrench for coil overs?

I'll take a picture of my custom wrench and post it up LOL.

 

[Department Of Boost]

The bars with the jam nuts at the ends are stronger and will flex less than the ones with the adjuster in the middle. That's why some are designed that way.

The "problem" is that they are harder to adjust. But..............you don't need a custom wrench. All you need to do is get it adjusted correctly, set the frame side jam nut on the threads where it will be tight and tighten the bar down "into" the jam nut. You don't need anything but your fingers or maybe if your frisky a screwdriver wedged between it and the frame to hold the jam nut in place.

I've done a few like this with no custom tools, no change in center, and they never loosened up. Easy as pie.

 

[Agent007]

What is an eleven eighths wrench!?! LOL

 

[nyuk98GT]

Agent007:

My camera was pretty good back in the Nixon administration days.

gmitch:

I thought about that but I didn't think that I could get it snugged down enough. Need more spinach in my diet, I guess.

Chris

 

[B2B]

This is just thin enough to get in there to tighten the jam nut. But the crow foot flare wrench should work as well. Do they go up to 1-1/8"?