[ssjrsw]

Hi all
I have a 2008 V-6 convertible. I live in Panama so it is hard to get the info I need since there are few of these cars here. This car was hit in the back, and I am working to fit it back up.

While looking into a noise the other day I found out the upper and lower track bars were rubbing. Figure no. 5 or 9 and 13 They are also refered to as Track Arm, the round one and trank bar the squared off one.

The are were these are mounted (between the diff and the bottom of the spare tire holder) was not affected by the accident. However the Track Arm has a bend or curve in it. The parts picture shows them as straight.

I need to know if it is suppose to be straight (the round arm) and if anyone could somehow get a photo. It would be best to have a pic from a convertible since my car does not have the stablilzer bar so I assuming that was only for the coupe.

http://img251.imagevenue.com/loc228/..._122_228lo.JPG
http://img153.imagevenue.com/loc714/..._122_714lo.JPG

[ssjrsw]

Here is the Track Arm removed
http://img197.imagevenue.com/loc533/..._123_533lo.jpg
Here you can see a big dent right in the middle of the bend. There are two samll indents spaced evenly apart that are circled.
http://img125.imagevenue.com/loc595/..._122_595lo.jpg
There are two more on the other side, these look like they were made by the same object since they are similar.
http://img247.imagevenue.com/loc87/t...0_122_87lo.jpg

This is where the bar was rubbing the upper arm.
http://img232.imagevenue.com/loc581/..._122_581lo.jpg
any help will be great, pictures or if you can just tell me if you Track Arm is straight or curved.
Thanks!

[ssjrsw]

OK, looks like the pics did not show up full size, so I will try to add them here.

[KRE2PASS]

Hey bud. Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Those parts are suppose to be straight. If you look in my photos profile I took 3 pic for you labled ssjrsw pics 1-3. I hope they help

[KRE2PASS]

I think I figured out how to put the pics on my reply.
YES!!
I hope these pics help, they're still in my photos. These pics were taken with suspension loaded.

[stlwagon]

Definitely needs a new panhard bar.

[ssjrsw]

Outstanding quick replies. I had a feeling that was the case. There is no damage in the area of the rear but the bar looks to be smacked in the middle. Don't know if it was part of the accident or something else.

Looks like I will try to straighten this bar as parts are real hard to get down here. Here is the bar installed, looks bad now that I see the other pics.

Last pic
Does any one know what this bracket is for? The holder for the sway bar on the coupe or a delivery tie down? There is one on both sides.

Maybe better to post a new thread but if anyone feels energetic with a convertible and can shoot pics of the rear trunk area and the underneath area of the rear of the car, that would be great. The Vapor Canister was removed from the back of the car, I ordered another but would love to see one mounted up among other things. Sorry to say but down here little pride is put into doing things, I hope to fix her right this time.

Thanks again
Scott

[smokinbones]

Last pic
Does any one know what this bracket is for? The holder for the sway bar on the coupe or a delivery tie down? There is one on both sides.

It's the bracket for the sway bar link.

[ssjrsw]

Originally Posted by smokinbones

It's the bracket for the sway bar link.

Thanks again for all the info. Now since I knew where to start I went to the shop today and had the car put on the alignment machine. For the most part it was OK but a little off. Sorry I can not explain it better but I never learned to use a machine like this.

The guys were afraid to take the bar out and straighten it because the feared it would not fit back in. After discussing it for a while I told them to pry it down while still bolted up. That worked and after we did this the tolerances were just about perfect on the alignment for all 4 wheels.

At that point we removed the bar and put it in a press to make it look better and straighter. Funny thing is that I thought the bar was solid but it is filled with sand or something. Anyway at least my fears of the worst are over, no damage to the rear suspension and nothing was bent/moved out of place in the accident.

Now I am $24 lighter in the wallet, sometimes it pays to be here