Front Sway Bar Upgrade Problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Anchorage Alaska
Front Sway Bar Upgrade Problem
Problem there is a 1/2 inch off-center of the end links from the center of the opening in the Sway Bar. I am Replacing the stock front 25mm Sway Bar on my 87 with a VBP #84018 32mm using the stock Endlinks with the new bushings provided with the aftermarket Sway Bar.
I tried to resolve this problem by removing the sway bar and "flipping it over" (installing what was the left side to the right side and vise versa) and reinstalling, result: same off-center, miss-alignment.
It is Saturday morning and VBP Tech folks are not in, I determined there is no after-market Endlink to resolve the problem. The VBP sales rep suggested I checkout Corvette Form tech tips (problem/resolution not listed) or ask this forum. After a long Alaskan winter I am impatient to back on the road this Sunday, could anyone help me before the VBP Tech folks get in on Monday?
I tried to resolve this problem by removing the sway bar and "flipping it over" (installing what was the left side to the right side and vise versa) and reinstalling, result: same off-center, miss-alignment.
It is Saturday morning and VBP Tech folks are not in, I determined there is no after-market Endlink to resolve the problem. The VBP sales rep suggested I checkout Corvette Form tech tips (problem/resolution not listed) or ask this forum. After a long Alaskan winter I am impatient to back on the road this Sunday, could anyone help me before the VBP Tech folks get in on Monday?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
I had a problem with an aftermarket PST sway bar. The ends of the bar where at the wrong angle, so the bolt holes would not line up witht the end links, it was longer eye to eye, and hit the shocks. If I was you, I'd set both bars on the ground and hold a tape measure to them in various points and take some digital pictures comparing the two. Send them digital pictures with measurements while you have the guy on the phone with you. Then try to get a replacement from them. That's what I had to do to get one that finally fit.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 196
From: Southern CA
Originally Posted by Jacki&GeneZ16
Problem there is a 1/2 inch off-center of the end links from the center of the opening in the Sway Bar. I am Replacing the stock front 25mm Sway Bar on my 87 with a VBP #84018 32mm using the stock Endlinks with the new bushings provided with the aftermarket Sway Bar.
I tried to resolve this problem by removing the sway bar and "flipping it over" (installing what was the left side to the right side and vise versa) and reinstalling, result: same off-center, miss-alignment.
It is Saturday morning and VBP Tech folks are not in, I determined there is no after-market Endlink to resolve the problem. The VBP sales rep suggested I checkout Corvette Form tech tips (problem/resolution not listed) or ask this forum. After a long Alaskan winter I am impatient to back on the road this Sunday, could anyone help me before the VBP Tech folks get in on Monday?
I tried to resolve this problem by removing the sway bar and "flipping it over" (installing what was the left side to the right side and vise versa) and reinstalling, result: same off-center, miss-alignment.
It is Saturday morning and VBP Tech folks are not in, I determined there is no after-market Endlink to resolve the problem. The VBP sales rep suggested I checkout Corvette Form tech tips (problem/resolution not listed) or ask this forum. After a long Alaskan winter I am impatient to back on the road this Sunday, could anyone help me before the VBP Tech folks get in on Monday?
The oem 30mm is a nice bar if you don't get the aftermarket one to fit, that's what I use, don't forget to do the rear to stay "in balance".
I run 30/26 handles nice
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Anchorage Alaska
Going to try weighting the suspension
Thank you 86Pacer & Froggy47:
I just got an email and now another way to attack the problem. From another trusted Senior Member and C4 racer.
Here is the method for anyone else who may face this problem. Center up the bar in the frame mounts and then lower the car to the ground where he connected the end links to the a-arms on the ground (suspension loaded). His end link/sway bar angle was the same as mine. So, it can be done but with a good deal of swearing being involved. He assures me they would connect, just not easily.
Though I have my C4 on jack stands I'll try a variation with a floor jack under each front knuckle.
I just got an email and now another way to attack the problem. From another trusted Senior Member and C4 racer.
Here is the method for anyone else who may face this problem. Center up the bar in the frame mounts and then lower the car to the ground where he connected the end links to the a-arms on the ground (suspension loaded). His end link/sway bar angle was the same as mine. So, it can be done but with a good deal of swearing being involved. He assures me they would connect, just not easily.
Though I have my C4 on jack stands I'll try a variation with a floor jack under each front knuckle.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 196
From: Southern CA
That should work, but you'll be "playing around with it" for a while. I recall when I put my 30mm in I too had to monkey around with it to get the bolts in. Maybe loosen the sway bar central bushing bolts a little so you can nudge it around. I carefully jacked under the ball joint to move my a arm around, don't damage the grease nipple.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ONTARIO
This is interesting. WHen i replaced my front bar with a gm 32 mm bar i had the same problem. I was hoping to hear that the bigger bars had different end links.. ima look into it tommorow with gm.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Anchorage Alaska
Early C4 vs mid to late C4 Control Arms & Sway Bars
DieL,
In conversing with GM keep in mind the early C4 Front Lower Control Arms (84 to 87) were a slightly different design that made a change in the Sway Bay ends. I wish I could just get a larger Sway bar from a later model donor C4 (I think the Z51 suspension had a 30mm front bar stock) but that would require I change the control arm$$.
In conversing with GM keep in mind the early C4 Front Lower Control Arms (84 to 87) were a slightly different design that made a change in the Sway Bay ends. I wish I could just get a larger Sway bar from a later model donor C4 (I think the Z51 suspension had a 30mm front bar stock) but that would require I change the control arm$$.
