Panhard Rods with Fitting Position Front Axle, Rear Axle for HSV MALOO VG, VP

A panhard rod locates a coil-sprung live axle sideways, keeping it centred under the vehicle as the suspension moves up and down. When a 4WD with a panhard rod is lifted, the fixed-length rod sits at a steeper angle, which pulls the axle towards one side. An adjustable panhard rod lets the rod's length be changed, so the axle can be re-centred at the new ride height. Use the vehicle search to find adjustable panhard rods to suit your VG, VP MALOO.

What Does a VG, VP MALOO Panhard Rod Do?

On a coil-sprung live axle, the coil springs carry the weight and the radius arms or trailing arms locate the axle fore and aft, but neither stops the axle moving sideways. The panhard rod does that job. It is a single rod that runs across the vehicle, mounted to the chassis at one end and to the axle at the other, with a bush or joint at each end.

Because the rod has a fixed length, it holds the axle at a set position side to side. As the suspension compresses and extends, the rod pivots at both ends, allowing the axle to move up and down while keeping it located laterally. Panhard rods are used at the front, the rear or both ends of many coil-sprung 4WDs.

A panhard rod is sometimes called a panhard bar, and in the US the same part is commonly called a track bar.

Why Does a Lift Push the VG, VP MALOO Axle Off-Centre?

A panhard rod moves through an arc as the suspension travels. At standard ride height, the rod sits close to horizontal, where its arc keeps the axle centred. When the vehicle is lifted, the chassis rises relative to the axle, so the rod is now angled more steeply between its two mounting points.

Because the rod's length has not changed, the steeper angle pulls the axle sideways towards the chassis mount. The result is an axle sitting off-centre under the vehicle, shifted toward one side. The larger the lift, the steeper the rod's angle and the greater the shift. Even a modest lift can move the axle enough to be noticeable.

Do You Need an Adjustable Panhard Rod After a VG, VP MALOO Lift?

Often, yes. An adjustable panhard rod has a threaded section that allows its length to be changed. Lengthening or shortening the rod moves the axle back to the centre at the lifted ride height, restoring its original position under the vehicle.

Whether an adjustable rod is needed depends on the lift height and how far the axle has moved. On some vehicles with a mild lift, the shift is small. On others, or with a larger lift, the shift is enough to affect tyre clearance, steering and how the vehicle tracks. Measuring the axle position after the lift shows whether correction is needed.

VG, VP MALOO Front Adjustable Panhard Rods

At the front of a coil-sprung live axle 4WD, the panhard rod works alongside the steering drag link. An off-centre front axle can affect steering geometry and tyre clearance at full lock. Front adjustable panhard rods restore the front axle's position after a lift, and are often fitted at the same time as other front-end corrections.

VG, VP MALOO Rear Adjustable Panhard Rods

At the rear, an off-centre axle shifts the rear wheels to one side, which can affect tyre clearance and how the vehicle tracks behind the front wheels. Rear adjustable panhard rods centre the rear axle at the lifted ride height so the rear wheels sit evenly in the guards.

How to Check If Your VG, VP MALOO Axle Is Off-Centre

A common check is to measure from a fixed point on the chassis or body to the wheel or tyre on each side, using the same reference points on both sides. If the measurements differ, the axle has shifted toward the shorter side. Comparing the gap between each tyre and the guard or body can also give a quick visual indication.

On the road, an off-centre axle can contribute to the vehicle feeling like it tracks slightly to one side, or the rear wheels not following directly behind the front wheels. A suspension technician can measure the axle position accurately and set an adjustable panhard rod to the correct length.

How Can a Panhard Rod Affect VG, VP MALOO Steering?

At the front, the panhard rod and the steering drag link both run across the vehicle and both move through an arc as the suspension travels. For the steering to stay consistent as the axle moves, their angles need to be closely matched. When a lift changes the panhard rod's angle, the drag link angle also changes, and if they no longer match, the axle can move sideways relative to the steering as the suspension travels.

That mismatch can contribute to bump steer, where the vehicle steers slightly by itself over bumps, and can leave the steering wheel off-centre. Adjusting the panhard rod length re-centres the axle, but correcting the angles themselves may require other changes, such as drop brackets or drag link adjustments, depending on the vehicle and lift height.

VG, VP MALOO Heavy-Duty Panhard Rods

The panhard rod carries every sideways load on the axle, including cornering forces and the side loads of driving across slopes, through ruts and over off-camber obstacles. On a lifted 4WD with larger tyres, those loads increase, and a factory rod and its bushes can flex or wear faster.

Heavy-duty adjustable panhard rods use stronger construction and robust bushes or joints to resist bending and keep the axle located firmly under those loads. A rod that flexes under load lets the axle shift sideways, which can make the vehicle feel vague or unsettled, particularly when cornering or towing.

What Are the Signs of a Worn VG, VP MALOO Panhard Rod?

Common signs include a clunk from the front or rear over bumps or when turning, a wandering or vague feel on the road, and the vehicle feeling like it shifts sideways during cornering or over uneven surfaces. At the front, a worn panhard rod is a common contributor to steering shake and death wobble on solid axle 4WDs.

Visible signs include cracked, split or perished bushes at either end of the rod, play at the mounts when the vehicle is rocked from side to side, and elongated mounting holes. A bent rod is another clear sign. Other worn components, such as radius arm bushes, steering joints and wheel bearings, can cause similar symptoms, so an inspection is recommended.

Fitting an Adjustable Panhard Rod to Your VG, VP MALOO: An Overview

Panhard rods should be fitted by a qualified suspension technician. With the vehicle supported and at its normal ride height, the old rod is removed and the adjustable rod is fitted and set to the length that centres the axle. The rod's lock nut is then tightened to stop the adjustment moving.

Mounting bolts should be tightened with the vehicle at ride height, so the bushes are not preloaded, and tightened to the manufacturer's torque specification. A wheel alignment is recommended after fitting a front panhard rod, and the steering wheel centre should be checked. Recheck the mounting bolts and the lock nut after the first few hundred kilometres.

Get the Right VG, VP MALOO Adjustable Panhard Rod with Formula 4x4

When the rod is still straight but the ends are worn out, panhard rod bushes are the cheaper fix. Rods and bushes both sit within our suspension parts range.

Start by measuring your axle position after the lift, and note your lift height and whether the correction is needed at the front, rear or both. Search by your VG, VP MALOO to find adjustable panhard rods to suit your VG, VP MALOO. If you are unsure what your 4WD needs, contact the Formula 4x4 team.