Red Pepper Racing

jsut wondering if im only lowering the car 1.5 inches will i need the adjustable panhard bar? i've read that it returns to normal after three but doesnt really shift unless its lower than that i may be wrong just want some help thanks guys

I would say that it kinda depends on the wheels. I'm on 13s with 185/60x13s and I have no issues at any height. Although you might end up needing to roll the drivers rear fender lip. I did and I drive pretty hard, no issues. Let's see if others agree though, this is my first 1G!
Edited by '85-SI, 28 January 2009 - 05:22 PM.

im still rockin the stock si phone dials 14's so maybe a lil different thanks for the input though

14s huh? runnin the big boys! haha

I lowered my CRX about 1 3/4" and did not need an adjustable panhard bar - there's no rear fender rubbing. I have 195/50 tires on 15 x 6.5" wheels. However, my car does have stiffer than stock torsion bars and rear springs, with Medieval Pro/Tein dampers, so there isn't a whole lot of suspension movement.

With stock 14" wheels and 185/60 tires you may not have any problems with rubbing. Can't hurt to lower it and try things out - why spend the $$$ on an adjustable PHB if you don't need one?

Need it?

No, but your rear axle does change its relationship to the body when you change the ride height. Get behind a lowered 1st/3rd gen that does not have an adjustable PHB and you will see that the left (USDM driver's side) wheel is closer to the fender than the right side.

You can make your own A PHB or you can buy one, but I would recommend one to get your suspension lined up correctly.

Scott

about how much closer is it to the drivers side? and thats exactly what im trying to avoid i have everything for the job except that considering the price and the lack of a welder.

Depending upon the offset of your wheels, enough to rub.

stock offset im not planning on/ dont have the money to get new wheels anytime soon so rubbign no rubbing will it seriously hurt the handling and drivability ?

Always a good discussion topic! All I can say is that my experience jived with RETROCRX's AutoCAD study of the rear axle movement geometry, here's the link in the rpr Wiki:

Wiki Link For PHB Geometry

In theory lowering 1.5" moves the rear axle ~1/32", which is very little. A good visual aid is the rear suspension picture here in the Civic FSM:Rear Suspension Arrangement Since the upper PHB pivot point is on the driver's side, lowering the car (effectively raising the axle) will initially swing the axle outward towards the passenger's side.

When I lowered my car, I used a long metal straight edge placed on equally inflated tires to check for any L/R differences in inboard-to-outboard fender gap. Nothing discernible. Your results may vary - two decade old cars aren't exactly straight in the first place. Now, if I could just get the @#$% height the same on each side - that really bugs me and no amount of adjusting the threaded dampers seems to even it out...

i read that but didnt quite understand it
so its not really that noticeable 1/32 of an inch over to the passenger side ,ahs it affected tire wear and handling and what not ?
sorry about the questions i just want a clear answer as to why the bar is supposedly necessary

I have no abnormal tire wear or anything such! Its really not tat much and if you don't rub, I would e to concerned about it. My car drives the same, granted I only use about an inch or so of suspension... I think you will be just fine.

awesome thanks for the input guys