Z06 Sway Bar question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Z06 Sway Bar question
I m thinking about ordering Z06 sway bars from Gene at Fred Beans and I have seen posts that indicate I should also order Polyurathane bushings from Ecklers. One post gave numbers for the bushings but they do not match the numbers in the Ecklers catalog. The catolog does give sizes but I don't know the size of the Z06 Sway Bars. Can someone tell me either the size of the bars or the catolog # for Ecklers bushings?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Joplin Mo
When you order from Genes you should get the bushings with the sway bars. Don't forget to order the complete kit which includes the front and rear sway bars and and the metal endlinks.
I just installed them on my car and they definitely make a difference.
Gene is great to work with.
Good Luck
I just installed them on my car and they definitely make a difference.
Gene is great to work with.
Good Luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I ordered the complete package from Fred Bean. It came quickly in 2 or 3 boxes
The sway bars were shipped unwrapped and very scratched. I called Gene and he really didnt care much because "he doesnt control how they are packaged ". I didnt really care for that statment
You'll love the sway bar upgrade. I used whatever end links and bushing came with the package. Really one of the best mods
Expect to buy a can of black spray paint.
The sway bars were shipped unwrapped and very scratched. I called Gene and he really didnt care much because "he doesnt control how they are packaged ". I didnt really care for that statment
You'll love the sway bar upgrade. I used whatever end links and bushing came with the package. Really one of the best mods
Expect to buy a can of black spray paint.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs FL
Z06 Sways from Fred Bean
Regarding Fred Bean's shipping, many of the items purchased from Fred Bean are drop shipped from GM and Fred Bean never touches the box. It is out of Fred Bean's control and yould hope that GM exercised a bit more care, but they don't.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Since your car is an 04 you will not need the metal end links so you save a few bucks there.
When ordering make sure you tell them you need the bushings, but it should come with the kit.
Your car will handle much better with the Z06 sways over stock.
Oh btw - I assume you have the stock suspension. I think there is an upgraded suspension for the C5 and then you only need the one of the sway bars ( I am not sure if it is the front or the rear)...
When ordering make sure you tell them you need the bushings, but it should come with the kit.
Your car will handle much better with the Z06 sways over stock.
Oh btw - I assume you have the stock suspension. I think there is an upgraded suspension for the C5 and then you only need the one of the sway bars ( I am not sure if it is the front or the rear)...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by joseph796
Regarding Fred Bean's shipping, many of the items purchased from Fred Bean are drop shipped from GM and Fred Bean never touches the box. It is out of Fred Bean's control and yould hope that GM exercised a bit more care, but they don't.
I think next time I would have saved a couple bucks and got a used one from Genes corvette parts in Florida
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,643
Likes: 0
From: Limerick Pa
We have since gotten all of the sway bars at our facility and we wrap them in bubble wrap before shipping.
Although I can tell you they still go through many pipelines on their way to us, bare.
Yes, I stand by my statement. There is nothing I can do about it.
Gene
Although I can tell you they still go through many pipelines on their way to us, bare.
Yes, I stand by my statement. There is nothing I can do about it.
Gene
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 31
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
Originally Posted by Gene@FredBeans
We have since gotten all of the sway bars at our facility and we wrap them in bubble wrap before shipping.
Although I can tell you they still go through many pipelines on their way to us, bare.
Yes, I stand by my statement. There is nothing I can do about it.
Gene
Although I can tell you they still go through many pipelines on their way to us, bare.
Yes, I stand by my statement. There is nothing I can do about it.
Gene
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Originally Posted by Mr. C's 5
(30mm front/23.6mm rear (same as Z51). Be careful with poly bushings. They can squeek and they are harder than OEM. - C.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by craig04c5
I thought people were recommending getting poly bushings because the stock bushings caused a popping sound. So would it be better to buy OEM Z06 bushings? Are harder bushings a problem? I don't want a "rough rider". I like the ride quality I now have but in reading other posts the Z06 bars improve cornering without sacrificing ride.
I dont think my ride changed with the z06 sway bars - that would be a shock and spring change (which I am doing very soon).
I am 100% certain that my cornering has improved though. Before the car use to float through the curves now with the Z06 sways the car sticks to the road much better. It just feels more aggressive in the turns.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by craig04c5
I thought people were recommending getting poly bushings because the stock bushings caused a popping sound. So would it be better to buy OEM Z06 bushings? Are harder bushings a problem? I don't want a "rough rider". I like the ride quality I now have but in reading other posts the Z06 bars improve cornering without sacrificing ride.
I had constant creaking with the factory Z06 front bushings, They come dry, and based on posts here I tried dielectric grease, shims, all to no avail. The factory rear bushings come greased and they have never made a peep.
I'd skip buying the OEM bushings and just buy the Ecklers - they are cheap, quiet as a mouse and they didn't affect the ride.
The Z06 bars, lowering on stock bolts and a Z06 alignment made a huge difference in the way my car drives, it feels great now, like on rails. One of the best mods for very little money.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Originally Posted by Joe_G
You want Ecklers part number 44872, $14.99 pair.
I had constant creaking with the factory Z06 front bushings, They come dry, and based on posts here I tried dielectric grease, shims, all to no avail. The factory rear bushings come greased and they have never made a peep.
I'd skip buying the OEM bushings and just buy the Ecklers - they are cheap, quiet as a mouse and they didn't affect the ride.
The Z06 bars, lowering on stock bolts and a Z06 alignment made a huge difference in the way my car drives, it feels great now, like on rails. One of the best mods for very little money.
I had constant creaking with the factory Z06 front bushings, They come dry, and based on posts here I tried dielectric grease, shims, all to no avail. The factory rear bushings come greased and they have never made a peep.
I'd skip buying the OEM bushings and just buy the Ecklers - they are cheap, quiet as a mouse and they didn't affect the ride.
The Z06 bars, lowering on stock bolts and a Z06 alignment made a huge difference in the way my car drives, it feels great now, like on rails. One of the best mods for very little money.
Last edited by craig04c5; Sep 14, 2005 at 09:32 AM.