Some advice on panhards and trailing arms etc

[chrisc2306]

Hi guys I need to replace some of the bushes on my GQ for it to pass its warrant and I am just debating whether to buy brand new front and rear panhards, and new adjustable upper trailing arms and possibly new lower ones too. Can someone tell me some of the advantages of getting aftermarket ones rather than just rebushing the existing ones? I am running a 2" lift with 35" tyres if that makes any difference. Thanks

[Parksy]

The original equipment only had a 2mm tube wall. I think this is reason enough to not bother with re-bushing.

[growler2058]

Wouldn't bother with adjustable uppers unless youre going hard core. The lowers are more likely to bend as stated above theyre one step up from alfoil thickness. Don't think you necessarily need adjustable for a 2"lift mine are lengthened to suit my 4"
Panhards much the same adjustable though is the way and the after market stuff is STRONG. Whichever way you go get fitted genuine bushes

[chrisc2306]

Thanks guys! I'm thinking I'm going to replace front and rear panhards, the tie rod definitely. What are your views on this bush kit? http://www.onlineautoparts.com.au/buy/full-suspension-bush-kit-nissan-patrol-gq-gu-coil-ute-poly-front-rear-set/ZPN-02112

[growler2058]

I would only get genuine bushes

[MudRunnerTD]

Thanks guys! I'm thinking I'm going to replace front and rear panhards, the tie rod definitely. What are your views on this bush kit? http://www.onlineautoparts.com.au/buy/full-suspension-bush-kit-nissan-patrol-gq-gu-coil-ute-poly-front-rear-set/ZPN-02112

Rubbish. Buy Rubber, buy OEM.

If your looking to use your 4wd in the bush then the list below would be what I would be upgrading.

I would buy HD Lower trailing arms,
HD Tie Rod
HD Drag Link
Replace upper trailing arm bushes if needed?? Would be surprised if you needed them?
Front radius arm bushes Rubber OEM Only.

Your 2" lift should not need an adjustable Panard front or rear, if you need bushes though then certainly consider HD Panards

The above list is some big coin though mate.

[Kelvinator]

Unless you want to throw some money around I would only upgrade your Tie Rod, and don't bother with poly style bushes, you will only be changing them again real soon. My 2 inch lifted GQ only had the mods below and I was very hard on my rig(not stupid just adventurous ha ha) and never had any problems, it behaved well on the road. I did camp road at cruiser park many times and jumped the old girl quite more than I'd like too on the old sneaky sand dune.

2 inch lift
*Rubber genuine style bushes
*Terrain tamer Steer Damper - rubber style bushes - converted to eye to eye instead of factory pin to pin for better response
*Road runner offroad Heavy duty chromoly tie rod and heavy duty tie rod ends(bent original into spaghetti many times), with gu steer box conversion. Broke 2 steer boxes before I made the switch, has been 2 years since a broken box now. Those chromoly tie rods have lifetime warranty against breaking or bending.

I now have four inch's of lift and have upgraded much more than that, but only because I had to to get the steering and diff geometry back in spec. If you are rough on the old girl you cant go past a good set of rear lower trailing arms, roadrunneroffroad does good quality ones for a good price. You will not really need upper adjustables at 2 inches. Your adjustment will be so small the benefit would be very minimal. I have never broken a single arm on mine but I have seen quite a few bent and broken rear lower trailing arms and as such i now have chromoly lowers.

Hope that helps ya make up your mind dude

[chrisc2306]

Thanks for your advice guys its much appreciated its nice to know what is worth upgrading and what is not no point in throwing money away!

[chrisc2306]

Another noob question sorry in advance, but on my warrant sheet it says that the front suspension lower arm bushes also need replaced are these called by another name because I can't seem to find them

[lhurley]

Another noob question sorry in advance, but on my warrant sheet it says that the front suspension lower arm bushes also need replaced are these called by another name because I can't seem to find them

If your talking about the arms that go from the chassis to the diff, they are called radius arm bushes. Get them from patrol-a-part. Cheapest genuine bushes.

[chrisc2306]

Does anyone have any brands that they would recommend for the heavy duty tie rods, drag links etc

[AB]

Does anyone have any brands that they would recommend for the heavy duty tie rods, drag links etc

I have been buying 4140 spec superior gear for things that I break along my travels.

Expensive yes...quality...yes...keep the receipts hidden from the misses!!!

[growler2058]

This is where I got my gear from http://bigo4x4.com.au/default.asp?page=suspension

[chrisc2306]

I have been buying 4140 spec superior gear for things that I break along my travels.

Expensive yes...quality...yes...keep the receipts hidden from the misses!!!

Thats what I have been looking at tonight and trying to price things up, the only problem I have is being in NZ shipping gets expensive and if I spend more than $400 I also have to pay another 20% GST which is a bit of a nightmare!

[89gqpatrol4x4]

I would definitely upgrade the panhards I only rebushed my standard ones and bent the rear like a boomerang on camp road at lcmp! I generally only drive like a grandpa and take it very easy on the car when doing tracks I think it was just an age thing.

[Patrolling Paddy]

The superior stuff is very good, I run it on my comp rig and to date no issues.
If it is just for you warrant I would consider the cost and break it into stages, this could help with shipping too.
Lower rear control arms from superior would be my choice. Leave the upper rears for now and just re-bush with genuine style rubber.
Unless you do some HD off-roading the radius arms in the front are ok and I would just re-bush them too.
The pan hards with a 2" lift don't really need adjustment however if you are getting new ones get adjustable ones so if you decide to lift more later you can. I would consider new pan hards rather than re-bushing but it's not critical, depends on how much you want to spend.
Heavy duty tie rod would also be a good idea but unless you are having issues with your current one I would possibly consider waiting, again it depends on funds.
I really like the superior stuff and would recommend it as strong and lasting, even in less than desirable conditions.

Any of the poly stuff is crud offroad as it it too firm and they limit flex and tend to tear and crack because of it. I will never use it again, did once due to odd circumstances and I think I got a couple of weeks out of it and it was dead before the rubber bushes arrived.

Cheers