As Steve pointed out, the MkII had the axle bracket moved to the other
(right) side also. If you're interested I can probably take some pics of the
frame bracket (Mk1A) tonight since I happen to have the back of the car
jacked up already. Lowering the panhard rod may give clearance issues unless
you move the axle bracket as well. Using two Panhard rods (one from each
side, to a common axle bracket) would break a lot of stuff, quickly. An
offset mount for a Watts linkage pivot will give goofy axle motion, probably
similar to what the Panhard bar would give you, and requires bracketry on
both sides of the car.
I realize that Rootes' motivation for installing the Panhard bar was to
mitigate axle tramp, but I don't really see how a Panhard bar would help
that problem (which is caused by leaf spring windup, not lateral
deflection), except that it helps to keep the lateral load on the spring
bushings and shackles to within reasonable limits. Dan Walters' torque arm
kit is a direct hit on the windup problem, and you should talk to some
people who run one to see if you want to do that. The other alternative is
the traction masters (bolt-on-spring or weld-on-frame variations) and I can
tell you that the weld-on style seems to do what it's supposed to, but I
don't know from personal experience if it's better or worse than the torque
arm (which gives more dive under deceleration and braking).
Theo (enjoying some balmy 30F weather today)
|