Rear sway bar installation question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
Rear sway bar installation question
I purchased a VBP rear sway bar kit a few months ago and decided to install it. Problem is the installation instructions are no where to be found. I found the threaded holes in the frame for the sway bar bushing brackets to attach to but can't figure out where the brackets for the links attach to.
Also does the bend in the bar face up or down when bolted to the frame?
I would sure appreciate any info or even photos of an installed rear sway bar.
Also does the bend in the bar face up or down when bolted to the frame?
I would sure appreciate any info or even photos of an installed rear sway bar.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
Use the advanced search tool to find similar threads. The brackets attach to the back of the rear trailing arm using the two holes that held the stock rear sway bar bracket. The long rectangular piece with the large hole on one end for the bushing and two smaller holes for the bolts goes into the back of the trailing arm and is held in place by two bolts inserted from the top of the trailing arm. I believe the bend in the bar will go up (but I am not sure). Once again, search the archives, and if you still can't find anything, I can take a picture and post it tonight for you. Just let me know.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Brinnon Washington
Use the advanced search tool to find similar threads. The brackets attach to the back of the rear trailing arm using the two holes that held the stock rear sway bar bracket. The long rectangular piece with the large hole on one end for the bushing and two smaller holes for the bolts goes into the back of the trailing arm and is held in place by two bolts inserted from the top of the trailing arm. I believe the bend in the bar will go up (but I am not sure). Once again, search the archives, and if you still can't find anything, I can take a picture and post it tonight for you. Just let me know.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Alsip IL
I had to drill 2 holes in the training are to mount the rectangle plate. Also, my sway bar had no bend. keep in mind two things; 1 the brackets and sway bar may be very close to the inside of the rear tire. I have 275/50-15's and it is tight. 2. Access to the top of the leaf spring bolt is pretty much impossible once the bracket is installed.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Oldsmar FL
I have the sway bar to install yet that I purchased from VBP, but I remember they have an instruction tab on there web page...Don't remember if they cover the sway bar install though...if nothing else give them a call they have been very helpful with me when I call...I'm installing there performance plus kit on my '79 and called them 3,4 times and they answer my questions each timel...can't wait to get it all back together and give it a test drive.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
On my 77 the holes were already there.....just had to bolt everything togerther..Also I had the break lines in the way a little.. Just be careful
Last edited by ptroxx; Mar 13, 2008 at 01:13 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
What size is your bar...
You might want to read thru this
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1954158
You might want to read thru this
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1954158
I purchased a VBP rear sway bar kit a few months ago and decided to install it. Problem is the installation instructions are no where to be found. I found the threaded holes in the frame for the sway bar bushing brackets to attach to but can't figure out where the brackets for the links attach to.
Also does the bend in the bar face up or down when bolted to the frame?
I would sure appreciate any info or even photos of an installed rear sway bar.
Also does the bend in the bar face up or down when bolted to the frame?
I would sure appreciate any info or even photos of an installed rear sway bar.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
Thanks for the photos, they confirmed the location I was thinking was correct. The holes are there and the blue beast has a 1-1/8" front bar and will soon have a 3/4" rear bar. Well back to the garage for more abuse (to me, not the beast!).
I'll try the rear bar and if the handling sucks, it will come off. There are a couple of recent and interesting threads on sway bars.
I'll try the rear bar and if the handling sucks, it will come off. There are a couple of recent and interesting threads on sway bars.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
Yeha I can tell you a story aboout my new rear sway bar.... I put on the same rear bar but bibn upgrade the front yet and man....WOW what aride....
Im not sure if you know where the 37 and the 116 meet in sonoma...but I did a 900 yes that 2 1/2 turns making that turn last week.... man that *** end kicked out on me.. i almost got it straight but it stalled on me...LOL
so be careful when you first take it out......Just a little FYI...
Im not sure if you know where the 37 and the 116 meet in sonoma...but I did a 900 yes that 2 1/2 turns making that turn last week.... man that *** end kicked out on me.. i almost got it straight but it stalled on me...LOL
so be careful when you first take it out......Just a little FYI...
Thanks for the photos, they confirmed the location I was thinking was correct. The holes are there and the blue beast has a 1-1/8" front bar and will soon have a 3/4" rear bar. Well back to the garage for more abuse (to me, not the beast!).
I'll try the rear bar and if the handling sucks, it will come off. There are a couple of recent and interesting threads on sway bars.
I'll try the rear bar and if the handling sucks, it will come off. There are a couple of recent and interesting threads on sway bars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
I strongly advise against using a 3/4" rear bar unless you have oversized rear tires.
The bar is twice as stiff as a 5/8 and essentially converts the Independent Rear Suspension into a straight axle. This means that you have little or no camber change in a turn. this means that you lose tire patch contact which means loss of traction, a loose rear end, break away and possible spin.
This happened to me several times before I figured it out and switched back to a 5/8" rear bar with 17" wide tires. Now my 71 rides on rails.
The bar is twice as stiff as a 5/8 and essentially converts the Independent Rear Suspension into a straight axle. This means that you have little or no camber change in a turn. this means that you lose tire patch contact which means loss of traction, a loose rear end, break away and possible spin.
This happened to me several times before I figured it out and switched back to a 5/8" rear bar with 17" wide tires. Now my 71 rides on rails.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
This is one of the better pictures I have of mine, similar to some of those above, but it doesn't show it as clearly.
The bend should go up as it crosses over top of the spare tire carrier. It will actually fit either way, it will just press against the top of the spare tire carrier if you put the bend down.
Good luck... GUSTO
The bend should go up as it crosses over top of the spare tire carrier. It will actually fit either way, it will just press against the top of the spare tire carrier if you put the bend down.
Good luck... GUSTO
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
Just installed mine today and a new larger one up front also... Wow... its a roller coster on rails!! you will love it...
I also have the #500 front springs cut 1/2 coil, rear carbon fiber, Bilstene Sports all around, and gone all poly.... wheels and tires next, but man, what a difference...
I put my bend down like the front sway bar... but I do not carry the spare.... AAA
I also have the #500 front springs cut 1/2 coil, rear carbon fiber, Bilstene Sports all around, and gone all poly.... wheels and tires next, but man, what a difference...
I put my bend down like the front sway bar... but I do not carry the spare.... AAA
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
i put in my VBP street and slalom last winter and boy what a difference i loved it ON RAILS!!!