rear swaybar bushings (frame mount)

[kielbasa]

Hi guys, wondering when you replace the rear swaybar bushings with poly, do you have to grind/mill an angle onto the new bushing?
When I removed my swaybar, I thought the bracket that captured the bushing was bent, but upon closer inspection they seem to be made that way. I assume swaybar is not perpendicular to the unibody frame rails, that's why they're made that way?
Anyways, I can't imagine being able to compress the poly enough to conform to the factory bracket without some type of machining - what do yoy guys do?
Thanks for any info!

[burdar]

The frame rails aren't parallel to the rockers...they get wider as they go rearward.  That's the reason the bushing retainers are angled.  I know Wade(Bullitt) replaced his stock bushings with poly.  Maybe he will chime in later today.

[Bullitt-]

Installed the Energy Suspension Bushings p# 9.5108G in the OE rear sway bar brackets. Had to remove the raised lip from one side, greased well & pressed in using a bench vise & used the brackets from the kit to hold OE brackets off to allow bushing to come through.
It was not easy & I did have to grind a little extra off the leading edge to get started but did not reshape 

[kielbasa]

hmmm -i just reinstalled my sway bar and studied it in the dark. looks like the framerails do taper towards outside of car towards the rear, however my bushing retainers are also angled towards the outside, which would exagerate the issue - almost like the were installed wrong from day one. the retainers have to be side specific....i'll take another look in the morning - i might be not thinking correctly.

[Katfish]

Could you drill out the original retainer and use/bolt the aftermarket retainer to the frame-rail bracket?
This would capture the entire poly bushing?

[burdar]

B-bodies use a bolt on strap but must also use a stud...not a bolt.  I think the head of a bolt would hit the frame before the frame bracket is inplace. 

I jut checked my swaybar.  I just had the straps welded back onto the frame brackets.  I installed them so they angle inward.  Once bolted to the car, the straps will be more or less parallel to the rockers.  Even if the factory mounted them the other way, it looks like the way I have it will work.

[LAA66]

 The rear sway bar bushing brackets are side specific due to the Tapered width and angled frame rails. The bushing retainers are set pretty much inline with the axle. If that make sense.  

  I figured when the time comes to replace the orig bushings, Drill one spot weld out, bend the looped bracket enough to R&R the replacement bushing then weld and detail the spot.   

[71ChallRT]

Does anyone know where to get stock-appearing rear sway bar frame bushings?  I need to replace and can't find them listed anywhere.  This is for my 1971 Challenger.  Thanks.

[burdar]

E-body rear swaybar bushings weren't serviceable since the straps were welded to the brackets.  Your only options are to find some nice original ones or use aftermarket poly bushings. 

[kielbasa]

I drilled out the spot welds on the factory straps and installed 9.5106 Energy (black) bushings.
I made some screw/studs that I welded to the brackets, and now my bushings are easily serviceable.

[Katfish]

Sounds like a good idea, got any pics?

[71ChallRT]

Thanks for the info.  I knew they weren't serviceable from the factory.  The part number is for a "support" which is the assembly of the bushing and bracket.  Still not sure how I may approach installation, but will probably go with the black poly to maintain the factory look.  By the way, Classic Industries now sells these rear sway bar frame brackets repopped, but the bracket only, no bushing installed.  Looks like an opportunity for someone to step up and repop the whole assembly with nice poly bushings in them.

[kielbasa]

I took a pic to show what I ended up doing....

I painted it with POR15 (semi gloss, which turns glossy after 2nd coat) to retain the factory finish. The swaybar bracket fasteners are supposed to be  gold colored cad plating though, I blasted them and left them natural (but coated with RPM).

[Trevor Y]

What is the part number for that package for the end links for the rear sway bar?
I heard is you buy the black coated ones, then they don't squeak.
Also, I am looking to remake the frame brackets with studs and maybe sell some here as well.
I would like to use the black rubbers that come with zerks and have studs on the brackets to bolt and unbolt them.
Trev

[Road_Runner]

What is the part number for that package for the end links for the rear sway bar?
I heard is you buy the black coated ones, then they don't squeak.
Also, I am looking to remake the frame brackets with studs and maybe sell some here as well.
I would like to use the black rubbers that come with zerks and have studs on the brackets to bolt and unbolt them.
Trev

Hi Trev,

Depending on what you would have to get for them I might be interested in a set of your frame mounts with studs.  One suggestion, keep the studs no longer then they need to be.  Having longer bolts sticking out detracts from the solution.  Let me know what you think the price will be and when they would be available and I'll let you know.

Thanks, Jim