front swaybar mounting...?

[Talkwrench]

My Addco swaybars finally arrived. Just looking at the front one for now, man thats one big heavy sucker!
Anyway my question is; The way it mounts to the K memeber through those two tiny holes one on each side. IS that enough??  Seems like it would rip right through with all that heavy gear hanging and pivoting from that point. Anyone have any problems?

Just with the initial fit up its seems its not quite lining up either, I think there is going to be some pushing , shoving and a lot of swearing too...

[cudazappa]

Do you have a factory front bar?  If you do, I also had an issue with the sway bar fitment.

First off, the factory holes are fine.  Use Grade 8 hardware, and you'll have no issues.  Right now I'm running that sway bar in my Autocross Challenger and I'm about to upgrade to a larger one.  I've had no issues.

Second, the bar is bent correctly.  Same dimensions as the factory bar.  The problem I came across was the Addco mounting plates are designed poorly.

here's a picture of my fix:



the top plate is 1/4" 17-4PH (stainless) and the spacer is 3/8" aluminum.  I used socket head cap screws so I could move the sway bar 7/16" forward.  (the centerline of the addco bracket is 7/16" towards the rear of the car more than the centerline of the factory bracket).  I also made custom end links while I was at it.  About an 1" shorter than the addco ones IIRC.

[Strawdawg]

some aftermarket companies provide reinforcement plates to strengthen the mount

[dodj]

  with cudazappa. I used grade 8 fine thread bolt with nylon-lock nuts. I had to space my bar down a bit as well. About a quarter inch.
No problems with the front bar. The rear on the other hand...

[Talkwrench]

Update.. I have mounted the front bar [yes I do have the factory mounts] For now I have mounted it with the bolts supplied by Addco, and I managed to make it fit with the parts supplied.. Wow what a difference! the whole front end feels firmer even suspension wise. Money well spent!     

 Now the rear ...mmm yes that is a different story. Looks like if I mount it they way they show the bar will hit the back of the diff. I have decided to take it to my mechanic next door and do it on the hiost properly rather than grovelling around on the floor at home. Im sure we will have to make up some spacers to get it to fit properly... I'll keep you informed...

[autoxcuda]

...

 Now the rear ...mmm yes that is a different story. Looks like if I mount it they way they show the bar will hit the back of the diff. I have decided to take it to my mechanic next door and do it on the hiost properly rather than grovelling around on the floor at home. Im sure we will have to make up some spacers to get it to fit properly... I'll keep you informed...

Should be fine and probably not need spacer. If anything you might need to adjust the length of the rear sway bar end links.

[Talkwrench]

If anything I have to make the end links shorter  I seem to need a spacer between the bracket and the diff to pull the bar away from it or its going to hit when the suspension goes up and down . In fact if I tighten it up as it is all lined up the bar is hitting the diff already ...

[autoxcuda]

If anything I have to make the end links shorter  I seem to need a spacer between the bracket and the diff to pull the bar away from it or its going to hit when the suspension goes up and down . In fact if I tighten it up as it is all lined up the bar is hitting the diff already ...

Rotate the u-bolt assy on the axle tube rearward.

The endlinks need to be perpendicular to the swaybar arm and to the chassis mount. The poly bushings in them should not be in a bind at ride height.

[Talkwrench]

I still wouldn't have enough in it, I've tried as far back as it will go even rotating it so the brackets are not level  Spacer it is....

[autoxcuda]

I still wouldn't have enough in it, I've tried as far back as it will go even rotating it so the brackets are not level  Spacer it is....

8 3/4" rear end? Could the sway bar be upside down? But I think it's symetrical.

What happens if the end links are shorter. That should bring the bend around the center of the diff down.

[dodj]

My  Consider reinforcing the frame where you drill holes in the frame for the end link brackets. I'm not the only one to pull those bolts through the frame after a couple summers driving.

[Talkwrench]

Autox Your on to sumthin' I thought I had it round the right way.. ..Damn I'll have to check tomorrow now.. I'll let you know.

I will be keeping a very close eye on the frame mounting   

[Talkwrench]

I have it the right way around.. spacers it is..
 Ive been thinking I'll get a plate cut the same width as the chassis and say about 6" long and put that between the chassis and mount when all done I'll tack the mount to the plate, that should spread the load across.

[dodj]

I was thinking of something similar. Maybe a 'c' channel bracket that went around the sides as well, like the original piece.

[autoxcuda]

I have it the right way around.. spacers it is..
 Ive been thinking I'll get a plate cut the same width as the chassis and say about 6" long and put that between the chassis and mount when all done I'll tack the mount to the plate, that should spread the load across.

Look at the end link heights in my pictures. It sure seems the sway bar arms are too far angled down. Also I know the U-bolt axle mount assembly has to be rotated rearward a litte for clearance at the back of the diff.

Are you mocking all this up with the weight of the car on the axles, right? The car has to be at ride height.