[prosmart]

Greetings

Went out playing at the weekend and my front wheel fell into a (previously) unseen hole. Thought we had got away with it until we left and started home - immediately got the worst death wobbles. On further inspection (on the back of the tow truck) I found what I believe to be the culprit.

Images are at the end of the album on Google Photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HJ8wKj4TNhGrfLMv9

Can somebody educate me please? I've gone through everything I can online and in the Haynes manual to get the correct terminology but I still don't know if it is the drag link, tie rod or what it is (I am a programmer - forgive me).

Edited: Do I have to replace the entire assembly? I found this: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/353853924040. Now I am totally confused as I also found separate items (tie rod and drag link) here: https://shop.snakeracing.com.au/sj80-suzuki-rock-rod-tie-rod/

"Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope"

Nigel.

[UBZ]

You broke the tie rod ( ties both wheels together)
Don’t know if it’s the pic , but the steering dampener looks all bent too.

[Jezzer]

I’m not a SJ80 expert. But to me it looks like the panhard rod and not the steering linkage


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[fordem]

I'm going with panhard rod also.

[prosmart]

UBZ wrote:

You broke the tie rod ( ties both wheels together)
Don’t know if it’s the pic , but the steering dampener looks all bent too.

Defo not connected to both wheels so I'm guessing it's not a tie rod.

From the photos on G**gle Photos you can see it's connected to one end to the chassis and the other to the wheel so I'm guessing It's the panhard as suggested by Jezzer

Quote:

I’m not a SJ80 expert. But to me it looks like the panhard rod and not the steering linkage

Will also check out the steering damper as soon as I can.

Happy to be corrected about the panhard of course.

N/

[Gwagensteve]

That’s an aftermarket adjustable panhard rod. Replacements are available. (I think a jimny adjustable panhard may also be suitable)

[prosmart]

Gwagensteve wrote:

That’s an aftermarket adjustable panhard rod. Replacements are available. (I think a jimny adjustable panhard may also be suitable)

That explains a couple of things.

In the Haynes manual they only show an illustration of the leaf spring models but not the coily and it does not appear there.

In the SJ413 service manual the "General Description" illustration does not show one at all.

In your opinion, do you think this snapped panhard liable might be the cause of the steering wobble (in motorcycle terms a "full tank-slapper) that we experienced given the 4 inch lift (mod plated)? I'm damned if I can see anything else amiss.

Thanks for the input

Nigel.

[Jezzer]

The Panhard holds the front axle in alignment. So it will now be moving side to side as you drive


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[Gwagensteve]

You have a major suspension component broken. It’s surprising you didn’t loose control and crash the vehicle.

Leaf sprung models do not have this part. It is specific to coil suspension where it locates the axle laterally. The sj80 was only sold 1996-1998 and not in all markets so parts and manuals are rare.

The sj80 has a drag link in front of the axle and a separate tie rod behind the axle. This is to create clearance for the panhard rod. Leaf spring cars have the drag link attached to the tie rod in front of the axle.


4” of lift is 4” too much for an SJ80, mod plate or not. Their suspension design is very compromised. I’m surprised it didn’t death wobble before the panhard broke.

[prosmart]

Gwagensteve wrote:

You have a major suspension component broken. It’s surprising you didn’t loose control and crash the vehicle.

Leaf sprung models do not have this part. It is specific to coil suspension where it locates the axle laterally. The sj80 was only sold 1996-1998 and not in all markets so parts and manuals are rare.

The sj80 has a drag link in front of the axle and a separate tie rod behind the axle. This is to create clearance for the panhard rod. Leaf spring cars have the drag link attached to the tie rod in front of the axle.

4” of lift is 4” too much for an SJ80, mod plate or not. Their suspension design is very compromised. I’m surprised it didn’t death wobble before the panhard broke.

Thanks for the quick response.

The steering and suspension have been astonishingly good and solid (up to that point) despite the lift (2+2)

Thankfully we were leaving the (off road) location and just back on road when this happened so still at a very low speed. It was "interesting" I have to say.

Of course no one in Australia has them in stock for the SJ80 so I am now canvassing Jimny suppliers for dimensions to see what is close.

Regards

Nigel.

[prosmart]

Jezzer wrote:

The Panhard holds the front axle in alignment. So it will now be moving side to side as you drive

Thanks for the confirmation - appreciated.

[Douglas Gosper]

A Jimny Panhard rod is too long unless you are capable of cutting one down.
Thought I would let you know to save disappointment.

[prosmart]

So I have finally found someone who was willing to help.

Big shout out to McDonald Bros Racing https://www.mcdonaldbrosracing.com.au/panhard-bar-kit in Thomastown Victoria who not only made me a panhard bar to measure out of moly steel with adjustable bushed ends and all for the princely sum of $265.00 but also had it in my hot little hands in a only a few days.

Fitted perfectly and Zebedee is now back playing in the mud puddles again.

Kind Regards

Nigel.