Rear Suspension Problem

I would have tried a search, but I am really not sure what the criteria of the search would be, so I am gonna throw my scenario out and see if anyone has any ideas.

I was going around a corner yesterday in my 1995 Z28. I punched it a bit, it started spinning the tires and then I heard a loud CLANK. I immediately lifted and straightened the car back out. The only thing I can tell that is different now is the fact that the rear of the car is really wobbly feeling (best way I can describe it) from side to side. The shocks and springs still feel the same way but there is a LOT of side to side sway of the body in relation to the rear end. I have not had a chance to get it up in the air and look it, hopefully will do that tomorrow, but wanted to know if anyone has any suggestions on where to look first.

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Sounds like your panhard bar hardware may be missing.

Sounds like your panhard bar hardware may be missing.

Could you elaborate on that? I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to suspension stuff.

Broken torque arm is my guess.

Broken torque arm is my guess.

I have no idea. Hope to get it up in the air tomorrow to look at it.

The panhard bar keeps the body centered over the rear axle and runs parallel with the rear axle (located just behind the rear axle). Check to make sure you don't have a loose/missing bolt.

The torque arm mounts to the front of the differential and the rear of the tranny. This controls rotation of the rear axle under acceleration. I would this a loose torque arm would clunk on straight line acceleration but never hurts to check it's mounting points. The front of the torque arm is "sandwiched" in a rubber coupling bolted to the side of the tranny tail.

Well, upon getting the car up in the air, I discovered the problem. It snapped the panard bar into two pieces with the break coming on the driver's side probably 6-8 inches left of the center.

wow, is this a stock bar or aftermarket?

wow, is this a stock bar or aftermarket?
Stock with 190K miles.

Damnit boy!!!.....lol I haven't seen one break totaly into. Get pics of that.

Damnit boy!!!.....lol I haven't seen one break totaly into. Get pics of that.
I will, I tend to be hard on equipment at times. :lol: