Before our upcoming summer trip I wanted to replace the heim joints on my panhard rod. To do this, removing the body is required.

There are only 8 bolts and some wires that need disconnecting.

Here are some photo's from yesterday-





...body sitting on some sawhorses...yeah, it's filthy, needs a good cleaning, and some wax.






Here you can see one end of the panhard rod, where the dealership sprayed some sort of lubricant that really attracted a lot of road dirt.






Panhard rod removed-






Panhard rod reinstalled with new heim joints.





The old heim joints had quite a bit of play in them, so it will be nice to ride it without that slack in them.

I also left the body off, sometime in the next few days I'll be mounting the video camera to the rear of the frame and taking some video to watch the 14" Trike Series Shocks in action while riding. Will post it up here when done.

 

Kevin, as usual a very good and useful post. I think the video from the rear with the suspension working will be very interesting and informative.

As you said, good time to give all that rear area a good cleaning and wax on painted stuff. It does appear that changing the Panhard bar is very easy with the body off. Do the heim joints come installed on the rod? I suppose they are easy to adjust?

 

Yeah, I think it'll be a fun video.

I used the same panhard rod, just replaced the threaded in heim joints on each end. Taking apart and putting back together is simple. The manual outlines a relatively simple method for adjusting it to the proper length, via how far the heim joints are threaded in.

 

I would measure the length while still in place before changing the ends, this would get you pretty darn close. then adjust per manual. (If needed)

 

Yes, we actually did do that, with a micrometer, and then re-installed and it was close to nuts-on.

 

Thanks, great info.

While it's apart, if you can, please get and post a few more shots of the whole rear end at a few different angles and directions. That might be really handy for folks to be able to see before they stick their hands up in there for stuff not requiring body removal. I know I'd appreciate it, it's unusual to get those kinds of views normally. Thanks.

 

I figured you did, I was just saying it outloud for the rest of the folks.

 

looks like the calipers have had a few miles on them :>)


Pic of the 8 bolts would help, I know the 4 in the bottom of the truck, I assume 2 on each fender ??

 

I'll get that done.



Yeah, was going to post that pic originally...but did not, since that is not the way the manual says to do it. lol

But it definitely is a short cut in getting the adjustment done.



I'll get that done. Gonna be pulling the axles in the next day or two and replacing the bearings. So will get those photo's too.

Appears my rambunctious riding has worn the rear wheel bearings out...they have some play in them.

I never use a pressure washer, so it's not like I blew the grease out of them.

While the bearings have not completely failed, they have enough play that I am not comfortable going on our upcoming trip without replacing them.

We'll measure the slop and post it here, once I get the axles pulled.

 

Thanks for showing this. Look forward to more pics from different angles.