Handling the Dart

A bit of clarification regarding panhard bars on Mopars (or other leaf sprung cars). They are not needed nor are they desirable. The panhard bar is used to keep the axle from moving laterally under the chassis. Leaf springs locate the axle side to side just fine and any other linkage will only tend to bind things up. You will note however that a well developed panhard setup will attach to the center (of rotation) of the rear axle and sit nearly horizontal at normal ride height. Pandard bars are typically found on coil sprung rears (GM).

Now, as for other suspension mods. .990 bars are WAY too much for street use. .890's, fresh bushings, a sway bar will make for a real nice handling street car. Out back, use 6-leaf HD springs (a factory 340 car would have had these) a small sway bar and good shocks. You will be amazed at just how nice an A-Body will drive with this combo. Note with the factory leaf setup there was not much camber (arch) in the rear springs. I seem to recall discussion recently saying that more arch will improve handling and/or ride. I'd love to see scientific data to back this up. Mopar used a nearly flat spring to improve handling and reduce bumpsteer. A dead flat spring would provide the best handling, but would make the load carrying capacity essentially zero.

Score a copy of Mopar's Chassis book after reading Puhn or Adkins. All good reading.

If you are wandering all over the road, you have something seriously wrong and should fix it before driving the car again. Repairs take priority over modifications always.