Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Pardon my grammar, but what is the shaft that is connected to the rear axle and chassis on passenger side ? 1970 SRL311. It looks like some kind of torque prevention device during
hard acceleration. Anyways, mine is broken at the axle, it looks like the welds failed and the flange is broken. I can't for the life of me, get this thing loose to clean it up and have a buddy weld it back on. I don't want to heat it up since there are bushings in there. Anyone else go through this ???? Thanks.

The torque rod bushings are probably past their prime by now anyway.

If PBlaster won’t loosen the fittings up, light them up.

If you’re interested in the full enchilada on suspension work, here are Joe Hauser’s tips and tricks:

https://www.datsun.org/fairlady/JoeChassis.htm

rwmann wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 7:46 pm The bushings are probably past their prime by now anyway.

If PBlaster won’t loosen the fittings up, light them up.

If you’re interested in the full enchilada on suspension work, here are Joe Hauser’s tips and tricks:

https://www.datsun.org/fairlady/JoeChassis.htm

Full Enchilada is an understatement of monumental proportions. To quote the "wise guys" forgetta bout it.

Thanks, I see it is correctly called the 'panhard rod'. It looks like mine has been broke for some time. I'm guessing with this not attached, it puts extra stress on the rear u-joint ?

I believe it's called a torque reaction bar. It's designed to keep the leaf springs from twisting when you are accelerating hard. Kinda like the traction bars they used to attach to muscle cars with leaf springs. Mine has been gone for 35 years. I have Flex Form rear leafs, Bilstein shocks, a limited slip and fairly sticky 205/50 tires. I'm very nice to the rear suspension and don't do burn outs or purposely/gratuitously launch it sideways, etc. The rear has always felt completely planted and predictable under all conditions.

And I'll make another public "thank you" to JT for the Bilsteins... I thank him every time I drive the car and especially when we explore mountain roads that can have some very bad surfaces. Expensive but on the list of the top 5 things I've ever done to the car in 35 years of ownership and hundreds of thousands of miles.

I cut out the rubber bushing and replaced it with urethane. It was a tight fit and difficult to get it back in place.
I would tack weld it in situ, so that you know it is located correctly, then pull it out and finish off the weld. You will need new bushings anyway, be they rubber or urethane so don't worry about melting the old one with the weld.

Make sure to check the axle housing, I've seen a cracked one, after a poor repair. Pat

It’s not a Panhard rod, which is designed to laterally limit rear axle location and is located in the same plane as the axle. The roadsters have a torque link, which is an axial location limiter, closer to a Caltrac link.