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CJs110

Member Since: 06 Sep 2023
Location: Windsor
Posts: 24

Panhard Rod / Track Bar Not Lining Up

Long story short, had some death wobble so I bought new bushings for panhard rod / trackbar (sorry I use that term coming from Jeeps) and swivel pins/shims. Decided to start with the panhard rod, poly bushing in place of original.

Old ones pressed out. New ones were fitted in - no issues.

Then went to install, got one side in (bolt thru) then tried to line it up with the other side and it would. The holes are way off!! Its as though the axle has shifted (I did this with wheels on the ground, but wondering if my hammering/utilizing a jack as a lever to push the rod up shifted the axle??)

How can I line the axle back up so that the trackbar fits into place? I took the weight off the front suspension (stands under the frame, wheels off, axle sitting on jack) and tried to move the axle - no luck.

Any advice? Pictures below. Doesnt matter if I attach from the other side first, second hole doesnt line up.

Click image to enlarge

7th Jul 2025 7:45pm

donmacn

Member Since: 07 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1887

I think you might benefit from putting the weight back on the axle to be honest. Do you have anything like a “ratchet strap” you could use to realign them?

In the past I’ve used long joinery clamps to do this, where there was some movement - but I can’t remember if that was Defender or Range Rover - not that it makes much difference. Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...

7th Jul 2025 7:54pm

markb110

Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2669

When I did mine and had the same issue I was working inside my garage.

I found the best way was to move the body over.

As I was on my own, I used a bottle jack up against the wall with a block of wood and a kneeling foam pad to protect the wing, pumped up the jack then once ready just popped the bolt through.

If you have a spare ‘volunteer’ get them to push the front wing until you get the same result.

Good luck

7th Jul 2025 7:55pm

Dinnu

Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3582

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black

If you put the wheels back, and wheels on the ground, you could use the steering to pull or push accordingly. As long as the drag link is still fitted of course. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

7th Jul 2025 9:05pm

Mr.Jimbo

Member Since: 20 Jun 2024
Location: Rugby UK
Posts: 13

From memory when I did mine, a tapered punch was enough for me to lever the chassis/panhard bush hole over enough in order to line the holes back up, maybe with a small extension on it, but I don't remember it being that difficult, did mine with wheels on the ground not jacked up.

8th Jul 2025 12:12am

paul 123

Member Since: 10 Jul 2022
Location: norwich
Posts: 133

1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Auto Rutland Red

turn the steering with the wheels on the ground and i will align it

8th Jul 2025 8:12pm

tommobot

Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Stratford Upon Avon
Posts: 39

Litterally just did exactly this...

Fitted an bolted the inner (higher) side, then jacked up this side under the axle and the other side lined up eventually and bolt slid through..

9th Jul 2025 9:34am

CJs110

Member Since: 06 Sep 2023
Location: Windsor
Posts: 24

Put back on its own weight and used the steering. JOB DONE!

Thanks everyone for the insight. I followed as mentioned put the vehicle back on its own weight wheels on the ground.

Didn't have a second person to push the wing with, so used the steering method - rocked wheel back and forth, went under checked if it was aligned (repeated a few times lol) but eventually it lined back up!!

Watching the body shift over while the wheels stay put is a very odd sensation - but it really show just how much the axle had shifted!!

Thanks again all

9th Jul 2025 3:56pm

4RF RDS

Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 974

2000 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Epsom Green

Use a ratchet strap of you are alone. Simplest way.

Good luck 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

11th Jul 2025 2:00pm

Procta

Member Since: 04 Dec 2016
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 5317

Yeah my dad did this with a strap, so that i could get the bolt in. Defender TD5 90 ---/--- Peugeot 306 HDI hatch back

In the words of my Good Friend, Gary Forrest 1980 -2025
" we will work something out"

11th Jul 2025 11:57pm

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