sway bar troubles
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
flynhi,
the bar appears to run straight through the brackets, and the brackets appear to be in the stock location. You are right about the size. The bar is 3/4. The front end appears completely stock, but now I'm wondering why it's got a smaller bar.
When I read your question, I got this sinking feelin in my stomach. I'll try to get some more measurements tommorrow.
I've had the car for about a year. It's got 74k on the odo. I didn't put the car on a rack but it tracks straight and my tire wear is good. Oh man, I hope this doesn't snowball. I've been putting off upgrading the suspension cause I have so much fun driving the car. I know when I start to refresh everything, I'm gonna do it right....and that's gonna take me a while.
the bar appears to run straight through the brackets, and the brackets appear to be in the stock location. You are right about the size. The bar is 3/4. The front end appears completely stock, but now I'm wondering why it's got a smaller bar.
When I read your question, I got this sinking feelin in my stomach. I'll try to get some more measurements tommorrow. I've had the car for about a year. It's got 74k on the odo. I didn't put the car on a rack but it tracks straight and my tire wear is good. Oh man, I hope this doesn't snowball. I've been putting off upgrading the suspension cause I have so much fun driving the car. I know when I start to refresh everything, I'm gonna do it right....and that's gonna take me a while.
Last edited by blueray72; Apr 23, 2006 at 11:37 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
could it be that the bar was replaced with a smaller one to stop it from hitting the radiator? It doesnt look like it is currently hitting...
not sure, but something could be out of whack from a precious accident
. Look around for any indication fiberglass patch jobs.
not sure, but something could be out of whack from a precious accident
. Look around for any indication fiberglass patch jobs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
3/4 inch bar would be correct for base suspension on early C-3's. Some factory and aftermarket radiators came with this "Dent" in the lower outlet, for clearance. Also, a rusted radiator support will allow the radiator to drop, hitting the sway bar.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
Originally Posted by JoeRags
could it be that the bar was replaced with a smaller one to stop it from hitting the radiator? It doesnt look like it is currently hitting...
not sure, but something could be out of whack from a precious accident . Look around for any indication fiberglass patch jobs.
not sure, but something could be out of whack from a precious accident
. Look around for any indication fiberglass patch jobs. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
Originally Posted by big_G
3/4 inch bar would be correct for base suspension on early C-3's. Some factory and aftermarket radiators came with this "Dent" in the lower outlet, for clearance. Also, a rusted radiator support will allow the radiator to drop, hitting the sway bar.
Yeah, I wondered why the neck wasn't cracked if the bar put the dent there.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I thought our stock rods were 7/8th and as for hitting the rad is it hitting or is that dent already there for more clearance? It is hard to tell. I assume if it was hitting it wouldn't be long before a leak developed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
I thought our stock rods were 7/8th and as for hitting the rad is it hitting or is that dent already there for more clearance? It is hard to tell. I assume if it was hitting it wouldn't be long before a leak developed.
There is a lot of chassis work to be done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
Originally Posted by jackson
toooo....The sway bar is bolted to the frame.
If your frame is moving that much in relation to the radiator you'd
have other major damage elsewhere.
That is a "factory" dent as described above.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Hammerhead may have it.
Check the brackets that the sway bar end links bolt to for integrity. When I got my 71, it had several cracks or broken welds and a stress crack in the front cross member.
Check the brackets that the sway bar end links bolt to for integrity. When I got my 71, it had several cracks or broken welds and a stress crack in the front cross member.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
Originally Posted by flynhi
Hammerhead may have it.
Check the brackets that the sway bar end links bolt to for integrity. When I got my 71, it had several cracks or broken welds and a stress crack in the front cross member.
Check the brackets that the sway bar end links bolt to for integrity. When I got my 71, it had several cracks or broken welds and a stress crack in the front cross member.
Thanks again everyone for the help