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Technical => General Tech Discussion => Topic started by: petew on 2013-08-24 21:55

Title: Sway Bar
Post by: petew on 2013-08-24 21:55
      Just looking at the front end on my Country Sedan Wagon and noticed that it doesn't have a sway bar.  Were they optional or is mine just missing ?

Pete
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: hiball3985 on 2013-08-25 07:09
I've never seen one without. This might be a good reason to get a good after market one, I have one on my endless list.
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: RICH MUISE on 2013-08-25 08:28
Ditto what hiball said. Mine, like most of the guys have used, is from Southwest thunderbirds(Texas) or Concours(Nevada). Concours is a distributor for Southwest. It's the same bar, same price when I got mine. Nice fit, easy bolt-on install, the 1 1/8 solid bar makes a huge difference in handling over the anemic stock swaybar. The links for both the suppliers is in our supplier links list.
Rich
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: robhaerr on 2013-08-25 10:31
I highly recommend getting a front and rear sway bar!

The wagon handles like a slot car! Short portion of video clip should start automatically at 10:55 into the clip...(if not, fast forward to that point)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYCmPCcb6hQ#t=10m55s
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: petew on 2013-08-25 16:57
 Yes that is my plan , aftermarket front and rear bars . I was just wondering if it should have had one from the factory.
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: robhaerr on 2013-08-25 18:08
Yes...mine had one.
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: Jeff Norwell on 2013-10-26 06:51
I need one too(front sway bar).. I like the one on Jay's car(Ecode).....
Rich,fellas...I looked up Concourse... the price for a front sway bar is pricey---$409.00.....I suppose it's needed and gives good results from all I have heard.
I am assuming again this is a bolt on piece.
Is there a Rear sway bar available?
is it a bolt on as well?

Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: hiball3985 on 2013-10-26 07:10
That doesn't sound right Jeff, I looked not to long ago and a front was $229, $409 must be for the front and rear?
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: Jeff Norwell on 2013-10-26 07:21
Jim...maybe I have the wrong product.... I was looking at this...

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000051e~Z5Z5Z5AAQUF~P409.90~~~~S3WT0UOQJ576686001751d~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000051e


****EDIT*** Jim.. your right.... front and rear....sorry!
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: Jeff Norwell on 2013-10-26 07:22
So i wonder if the rear unit is a bolt in too?
Or is there required welding of brackets?
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: hiball3985 on 2013-10-26 08:11
I think the rear does require some welding, but my memory is bad :003:.  maybe some here that has used it and can answer better
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: Harry on 2013-11-06 12:08
The rear anti sway bar comes with 2 angle iron brackets for the sway bar links to mount to the frame, I located them and drilled and taped the hole for each one.( 3/8 x 16 thread) is what I used. They can also be welded quite easy.
You need about 3 hands to get every thing lined up to bolt down to the rear end, I did it by myself but took a lot longer.
Really helped the drivability of my car.
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: 57 imposter on 2013-11-09 15:11
I bought one from southwest thunderbirds but when the links were installed and the bar attached, the bar hits the lower control arm and the brackets they supplied incorporate into the front bumper mounting brackets which look like they are going to give me trouble with the bumper brackets. the engine and transmission are in now and the siruation hasn't improved and it looks as tho as the lower control arm moves up, the bad situation is just going to get worse.  I have not tried to install the frame mounting brackets and have moved the entire installation to my , I'll deal with you later, file. It does,however remain one of those nagging little problems that I see every time I look at the car. It sounds like some of you guys have installed the same bar with no problems so maybe it will all work out in the end with no issues. If it does, it will be the first time!   
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: RICH MUISE on 2013-11-09 18:06
The oem bumper brackets have to be installed as and where they originally were. Otherwise, the bumper bolt holes won't line up. That said, the new sway bar bracket sits on top of the oem bumper brackets using the same oem bolt holes, just with the new longer bolts supplied with the sway bar. In other words, the bumper bracket is sandwiched between the frame and the new bracket. I can't see how that would create an interference problem, as your not moving the oem bumper brackets from where they were.
Just a note...As shown in my pics, I have not mounted my bumper brackets yet , simply because I didn't want them in the way while working on the car.
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: RICH MUISE on 2013-11-09 20:04
Something else to check...I know the assembly instructions that came with it aren't too good, if you got them at all. I didn't get any, had to have them fax me a copy.
There is a slight bend on the ends of the bar. If the bar is hitting the control arm, you may have the bend going in the wrong direction...just flip the bar left side to right side. Mine is about a 1/4" from hitting, but it goes up and down with the control arm, right?, so I wouldn't think the 1/4" is a problem. I can post a closeup pic of the assembly onto the control arm if you need.
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: 57 imposter on 2013-11-10 18:49
mine is installed correctly but haven't finished the installation of the front mounts yet. Like I said maybe it will be OK when finished. one thing for sure is that bar is hell for stout. the car should corner like a go cart.
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: hiball3985 on 2013-11-10 19:53
I hope Santa brings me one  :003:
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: robhaerr on 2013-11-10 20:51
Yep...with the front and rear sway bars, my wagon handles like a slot car...fun curve right here...at 11 minute mark of the video clip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYCmPCcb6hQ#t=11m00s

Some photos of the rear and front sway bars...
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: 57 imposter on 2013-11-11 15:25
robhaerr.....Mine looks exactly like yours so I feel a lot better about how mine will turn out.
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: robhaerr on 2013-11-12 09:18
Quote from: 57 imposter on 2013-11-11 15:25
robhaerr.....Mine looks exactly like yours so I feel a lot better about how mine will turn out.

Cool...and just to clarify...the bumper mounting brackets are sandwiched between the sway bar plate and frame rail, once we got the front end back on the car.

Fun to drive!
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: Jeff Norwell on 2013-11-12 15:48
Cool Rob.thank you!.. great reference!
Title: Re: Sway Bar
Post by: SkylinerRon on 2013-11-15 00:41
You may have a problem with the bumper brackets lining up to the bumper holes.
Goodluck,
Ron.