mark221, I believe you said that's the Lakewood prototype on your car?
How come it's not listed in your sig?

Lakewood $327.95
But is it available?
Last I heard, it was on "engineering hold"

Fays2 $595 and available

As for a panhard, I vote for Spohn
Spohn Panhard Bar: Adjustable with Poly Bushings Mustang 2005+ $125
Spohn Panhard Bar: Adj Rod/Poly Mustang 2005+ $145

 

I read some place else where someone compared the two Watts Links and their comment was the Lakewood Watts link was somewhat less expensive and considerably less impressive than the Fays2.

Much flimsier and seemingly inferior materials used to manufacture it.

Basic theory is the same however.

The Fays2 is used in many racing applications.

 

Update on Lakewood Watts link: Instructions are being printed at this moment and the first 50 units are expected to ship to dealers by Thanksgiving.

 

I haven't updated my sig in a long time, no reason just lazy I guess.

 

I haven't seen the Fays2 but the Lakewood one is a nice piece.
I have noticed a big difference in the handling of my car over an aftermarket panhard bar.

 

mark 221, what kind of driving do you do that you actually notice a difference? I am not trying to be sarcastic, but my driving is just basic street driving and I would be pretty surprised to notice a difference particularly with a rear end piece. Are you autocrossing or something or is it really that noticable of a difference?

 

I'm still trying to figure out how it functions through the suspension movements. Question - are there any noises from it, or does it ride as quite as stock?

 

I figured it out. Question though; if the Watts link is so great, why don't Roush and Steeda use it on their top suspension setups?

 

It's heavy and it has (relative to a panhard rod) a lot of moving parts.

When included in an original suspension design, the Watts Linkage is an excellent solution to the problems encountered with a solid rear axle. If I had the dough to blow, I would certainly get one for my Stang.

You don't see very many around, because most manufacturers have figured out how to make an independent rear suspension that works. Apparently, Ford isn't one of them...

 

This may be long, but try bear with it. First, think of a panhard rod, with one end fixed to the chassis and the other to the axle. Remember that the (adjustable)panhard rod is a fixed length and it is set at the vehicle's ride height so it is more or less parallel with the axle and the ground. Now try to visualize the suspension cycling in an up-and-down motion... since one end of the rod is mounted to the chassis, the axle mounted end is free to move in an arc. Try using a compass on a piece of paper. A crude way of describing the Watt's Link is thinking of it like two equal half-length panhard rods mounted at the chassis end and linked in the center through a crank/"propeller" on either the rearend cap or a chassis-mounted subframe. The "propeller" permits axle movement more or less without the arc because the "propeller" pivots as the two links move up and down and both sides counteract each other so the axle stays more or less centered underneath the car. If all else fails, try visiting the FAYS website for a professional explanation and diagrams.

 

Have any of you guys used the UPR adjustable panhard bar? I can get one on the cheap from my buddy (he's a dealer), my concern was that the UPR does not use bushings (rod ends). I am afraid it will make the car noisy ( I know running all rod end suspension in the race car is). If anyone can help me out on this I would appreciate it.