PANHARD Rod

As with any panhard rod it keeps the axle in the same sideways position relative to the chassis. There is nothing else to stop the axle moving sideways until the wheels hit the chassis. On a smaller scale, by keeping the axle in the same place relative to the steering box (which is bolted to the chassis) it ensures that the wheels cannot steer without the pitman arm on the steering box moving, and conversely ensures that when the pitman arm moves, this movement turns the wheels, not moves the axle sideways.

If you have worn bushes on the panhard rod, you will get a graphic illustration of what it is there for! JD

To add a bit of trivia, it was inventimified by the Panhard Motor Company, hence its name. :-)

Gromit