Watts link or panhard bar? - Lateral-g Forums

jdwill13 · #1 03-05-2007, 03:18 PM

I see a lot more cars with a panhard bar than a Watts link setup. I keep reading great things about Watts link but have yet to see it on any cars. Does anyone have Watts on their car?

wiedemab · #2 03-05-2007, 07:24 PM

I know this company makes watts links for a fox body. I don't know much else about them.

http://www.evolutionmsport.com/

I know the typical arguments for one over the other involves the greater weight off the watts over the panhard. One advantage to a frame mounted watts link is that the rear roll center height is fixed relative to the chassis. With a panhard the roll center height changes with respect to suspension travel.

Oh and the watts link won't create any side movement in the rear axle with suspension movement - the panhard will.

I'm sure some of the suspension experts can discuss this in more detail.

With a Fox platform, I think either will help the "snap oversteer" created by the bind in the stock rear suspension. Adding either device to the stock suspension is redundant, but works. Probably the best solution is to either go to a 3-link w/ either panhard or watts, or a torque-arm with panhard or watts.

Later,

Brandon

EvolutionMotorsport · #3 03-05-2007, 10:27 PM

Here are some pics of one of our Watts links installed on a car. This is our Vintage watts....

http://web.mac.com/jbauder/iWeb/6970...-Watt%27s.html

Thanks....Mike

James OLC · #4 03-06-2007, 12:25 AM

The Lateral Dynamics 3-Link incorporates a Watts Link. There are several members on the board with this set up (myself included). Pictures of my install are on the OLC website at Lateral Dynamics Installation. The Watts Link is a much better alternative than a panhard bar.

deuce_454 · #5 03-06-2007, 10:06 AM

the only timee you should considder a panhard is when 1) you are an OEM and want to save money on a mediocre handling car.. 2) if you are too mechanially inept to make/install a functioning watt 3) if you only turn left (circle track) otherwise a watt's link is the ticket.

jdwill13 · #6 03-06-2007, 01:41 PM

Thanks everyone.

Maximum Bob · #7 03-07-2007, 12:43 PM

Not sure how the moderators are on this site, about telling people about a product that is not a sponsor yet, but here goes.

This company is helping us out on our 67CAMARO PT high school automotives project. The customer service is good, and Jim Fay is also a great guy to deal with.

That being said the web site is www.fays2.net, Ill try to attach a pic.

Silver69Camaro · #8 03-07-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce_454

the only timee you should considder a panhard is when 1) you are an OEM and want to save money on a mediocre handling car.. 2) if you are too mechanially inept to make/install a functioning watt 3) if you only turn left (circle track) otherwise a watt's link is the ticket.

It sounds like I may be in the minority here, but you can have a very good handling car with a properly designed panhard bar. Doing so can make it somewhat difficult to package, to the point where the same amount of work it would take to install a watts.

Don't get me wrong, I like both, and each has their own place. But to say that it is totally inferior is disagreeable to me.

philofab · #9 03-07-2007, 06:34 PM

It's easier to get a low roll center with a panhard but it's design causes the rear end to move in an arc through it's travel. The actual side to side movement is at most a half inch with a fair bit of travel. I've heard a few really good drivers can feel the side movement when driving hard but I've never been able to feel it.

The watts link is cooler looking and fairly simple to build but it's difficult to get the roll center as low with it (new reverse style watts links may correct this). It also keeps the rear end perfectly centered so it can coexist with a trianglated four bar and some other suspensions without binding (a proper rear suspention does not need two forms of lateral control though).

Anyone know how reverse watts links (like the fey kit above) effect roll center? I've never seen these kits before. I did see a kit for a late model car (forget which one) at the sema show that mounted the watts link above the axle on it's side. Seems like it would have a very high roll center.

TravisB · #10 03-07-2007, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver69Camaro

It sounds like I may be in the minority here, but you can have a very good handling car with a properly designed panhard bar. Doing so can make it somewhat difficult to package, to the point where the same amount of work it would take to install a watts.

Don't get me wrong, I like both, and each has their own place. But to say that it is totally inferior is disagreeable to me.

matt I will have to strongly agree.....there are cars out there going way way WAY faster than anyone here ever thought about going with panhard bars. long low and level panhard bar can do wonders for a cars handling. Is a watts better? maybe? for every single car out there NO!