Roadmaster Chassis Pan-Hard Rod

A PanHard rod is a suspension component which helps to attach the rear axle of your rig to the frame.   Specifically,  the PanHard rod prevents side-to-side motion of the rear axle relative to the frame.

The PanHard rod is usually adjustable in length, allowing for the proper alignment of the rear wheels relative to the frame.   If the adjusting nut lock-bolt becomes loose,  vibration can loosen the adjuster allowing the PanHard rod to go out of adjustment, affecting handling of the rig and in extreme cases allowing the tires to rub on an airbag, wearing a hole in it.

This happened on a 2004  Holiday Rambler Neptune.    The owner was on a trip and noticed when they stopped to get a bite to eat that there was an unusual air-hissing sound coming from the rear of the coach.   This was the sound of air leaking out of the small hole in the airbag on the right rear side.  When they returned from lunch ( priorities! )  the right rear side of the coach had settled several inches.   Upon starting the rig,  the air compressor re-inflated the bag,  leveling the coach.   The owners proceeded on their trip,  noting minor changes in handling. 

When they brought the rig in,  we diagnosed the hole in the airbag, and the mis-adjusted PanHard rod.  We contacted their extended warranty service, but the claim was denied because the root cause was the loose adjuster lock-bolt.   Loose hardware was specifically not covered in the terms of their warranty.  ( Perhaps you want to read your extended warranty terms again, now, slowly? )    We replaced the airbag,  adjusted the PanHard rod and tightened the lock bolt.   The owner expressed an interest in checking for loose hardware on the rig periodically.   That seems like a good idea to us!