panhard steering pics and help

[edadmartin]

Hi, Im wanting to have panhard steering for my new truggy build.Im gathering parts from the great vendors here.Is there a panhard steering kit or parts on the market.What are the pros and cons of this system with a 4 link supension and will it work with tlt axles? how about some pics and comments on setups etc. :-P

[Pete from Houston]

Are you talking about having the steering servo mounted on the chassis instead of the axle? If so, it would help us to know what chassis you're using and what you want to do with the rig (scaler, comp, basher).

[chrisjlittle]

The only panhard bar (track bar) kit I know of is the hand brothers kit for the SCX, and it will only work with axial axles. It works very well though.

If you're mounting your servo on the axle, a 3 link/panhard setup will net you more space than a triangulated 3 link or 4 link setup. The whole point of a panhard bar is to locate the axle side to side, so you have to run straight links. This can free up space for a scale engine, battery etc.

The real point of a panhard in most cases only shows up if the servo is mounted on the frame. With triangulated links locating the axle, the axle travels straight up and down, which is mostly good. The problem is, the distance between the steering knuckle and the servo horn changes with travel, causing "bumpsteer" where the wheels steer one way or the other as the suspension cycles. With a properly set up panhard bar, the axle travels side to side a little as the suspension cycles, keeping the distance between the knuckle and horn constant, which improves steering. It's absolutely a necessity for most 1:1's, bad bumpsteer can make a truck very dangerous.

The proper setup for a track bar is to have the drag link and track bar be exactly the same length and angle. You can fudge it a bit on an RC car, but they should at least point the same direction.

Here's a pic of my setup. (K2-5, Highlift axles)



I imagine you could do something pretty similar with TLT's. Not much to look at, but it works fine and it was easy. The top mount is a cut up TLT axle stay.
I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if one's offset to one side or the other, just as long as the angles are pretty much the same and they're pretty much the same length.

[edadmartin]

Hi, Im sort of a cut it up yourself guy so Im going to fab my own xtrail type chassis.The reason I was considering the pan hard was bump steer elimination but the added room it creates will be great.Could the rc bros steering kit be reworked on tlts or should I just DIY? Any specs to watch for when locating the servo on the chassis or angles etc? Your pics will help alot.The straight links keep pinion angle correct?
I have a transfer case and planetary tranny and a gear reduction unit.I doubt Ill use the reduction unit on this truggy. Im not going for any 2 speed or dig setups on this one.Id like a linked front end and leaf rear using m shackles.and cut and shut tires on 1.9 rims So there are my beginnig parts.All suggestions are appreciated