Serious Panhard help!

[Alex Fogg]

I have a serious issue with my 80 that I need help with, especially since it’s my daily driver!

I was down to see Landtank to have him replace my Panhard bushings as I’ve been having a violent wobble that he traced down to the Panhard, he started to get into the job and we found that the inside nut on the axle housing clevis had broken free, it now just spins and is probably part of the problem with the bushing.

We tried to get into the back of the clevis so that we could remove the nut and bolt but that didn’t work, it also seems like I may have to do something about the possible elongation of the hole for the bolt. So at the moment we can’t get the bolt out, and we can’t get in there to cut it out, so the bushings can’t be replaced.

It looks like I may only have two options, having someone cut off the entire clevis and fabricate a new one, or fix the old one, and then weld it back on. Or buy a new axle housing, stripped, and have everything replaced!

Has anyone else had this problem! I can’t imagine I’m the only one. Any and all help would be vastly appreciated!

 

[-Spike-]

The usual ideas are to wedge something against the nut to hold it while you turn the bolt. Next level is to figure out a way to weld the nut in place. Either of these might require you to cut/drill/grind a way to access the nut.

 

[-Spike-]

You also might try to get some oil on the nut threads, so it spins as easily as possible. An impact gun might be able to spin the bolt off, if you can add some tension to the fastener.

 

[Tools R Us]

To repair have to make a window, remove the lower plate, remove/replace the nut, then weld the plate back in. Being in the rust belt, surprised tank hasn't dealt with it? Care is needed with that bolt, we always anti-seize and torque to spec. If it's loose, will cause wobble.

 

[Dirty Koala]

I would try to weld the nut in place so you can then then back the bolt out.

 

[landtank]

To repair have to make a window, remove the lower plate, remove/replace the nut, then weld the plate back in. Being in the rust belt, surprised tank hasn't dealt with it? Care is needed with that bolt, we always anti-seize and torque to spec. If it's loose, will cause wobble.

nope, first time I've come across this in person. Rear axles are another story, they're disposable!

 

[Alex Fogg]

I’m thinking that welding the nut in place might help, but I’m not sure how much work will need to be done after getting the bolt out, whether it’s elongated the hole for the bolt or not.

 

[Scheetz31]

I know it's been a while... I just recently am having the same issue. What avenue did you end up going to repair the clevis?

 

[BILT4ME]

I know it's been a while... I just recently am having the same issue. What avenue did you end up going to repair the clevis?

When you want to make sure someone sees your message, place the @ in front of their name and it will give them a heads up, or make sure to reply to one of their messages like I did for you.

@Alex Fogg

 

[Alex Fogg]

I did end up having someone weld the nut in place, very securely, and then using a new bolts and bushings on the pan hard. It’s been about two years now and it still hasn’t reoccurred.

 

[Scheetz31]

I did end up having someone weld the nut in place, very securely, and then using a new bolts and bushings on the pan hard. It’s been about two years now and it still hasn’t reoccurred.

Thanks... How did you extract the bolt starting out

 

[landtank]

I had cut back the spring perch on the front side of the axle to get some access and I believe the nut was then welded in place using a stick welder, but not sure.

 

[Alex Fogg]

I had cut back the spring perch on the front side of the axle to get some access and I believe the nut was then welded in place using a stick welder, but not sure.

Yes, Kina at North Country Land Cruiser was able to get access and stick weld it in place after Landtank cut back that bit to see what was happening.

 

[Bambusiero]

Any photos of the insides of that bracket?

 

[Alex Fogg]

Any photos of the insides of that bracket?

I do have some pics, I’ll see if I can attach them, if not can I email them to you? Message me.

 

[Bambusiero]

Try the "Attach files" button at lower left in the post reply window. Others will also benefit from seeing. If it doesn't work, I'll PM you.
I usually reduce photo resolution to 25% using Irfanview batch processing into a subdirectory, before posting - helps to not overload the forum.

 

[Alex Fogg]

Try the "Attach files" button at lower left in the post reply window. Others will also benefit from seeing. If it doesn't work, I'll PM you.
I usually reduce photo resolution to 25% using Irfanview batch processing into a subdirectory, before posting - helps to not overload the forum.

 

[Alex Fogg]

View attachment 2415577

View attachment 2415578

View attachment 2415579

You can see in the pictures where Landtank cut back a little bit to open up the hole so we could see where the nut was captivated, it was just a small bit that was cut, so I don’t think structurally anything would be compromised, but it gave us enough room to try and get a wrench on the nut. That turned out to not be enough, so I did have Kina partially threaded the old bolt in and tack weld the nut on the inside, then we used new bushings and new hardware after he welded the nut more securely.