Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
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From: Bloomington, IN USA
Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"?
Just replaced front standard stabilizer bars with new Z51 bars. I noticed that the bar is not sitting perfectly even (one end is closer to the lower control arm than the other side). Discrepancy is only about 1/8 " but the lower side almost touches the control arm. I've tried adjusting but can't budge the bar at all. Anyone know if the bar will eventually self align?
JohnS
JohnS
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Metairie LA
Re: Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"? (JohnS)
sorry bud, but the bars are tubular spring steel and will not settle. The best thing to do is disconnect one side of both front and rear bars by taking the link off. Then adjust your ride height where the car sits level, by using the spring bolts at each corner.Next adjust the front link thats still on the car so that there is a 1.5 to 2 inch gap between bar and tie rod, you will need to get four adjustable links. Then connect the other side so there is no preload, the ends of the link should fit in the holes without forceing them. Do the back next, you wont need to worry about the tie rods in back the bar does'nt fit over them. It will help if you construct some wooden ramp from 1" x 8" boards that progressively get higher till you have enough room to work under the car, do not jack the car up but drive it on to the boards keeping the same hieght on both sides, you will be able to use these ramps for all kinds of under the car projects later. good luck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 380
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From: Bloomington, IN USA
Re: Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"? (danielschultzjr@aol.com)
Thanks for the help. Where can I get adjustable links? So many here on the forum have changed stabilizer bars but noone mentioned different links. I got the metal Z51 links from Ken Ficthner, they seem to be of equal size. I checked the bar after a couple of days driving - it has changed for the better a little bit but not quite there. I took everything apart and put it back together and now I'm back to square one - bend in driver side of stabilizer bar is closer to the control arm that holds the wheel than the passenger side. No noise when driving - actually, the car drives fine. Ride height is factory perfect all the way around (planning on lowering after resolving this). All bolts and nuts torced to specs. By the way, we are talking about the front bar - I haven't done the rear yet (waiting on correct bushings to arrive).
JohnS
JohnS
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From: Long Valley NJ
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'08,'11 thru '17, '21
Re: Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"? (JohnS)
JohnS- I just installed a front Z51 bar on mine, & noticed the same thing. On the driver's side, the bar was quite close to the lower control arm, and on the other side it had more clearance. I think the mismatch could simply be due to manufacturing tolerances.
In my case, even with the little bit of difference, the links went easily into their mounting holes, so there's no preload affecting the ride height in any way.
And I had the same result as yours, the car rides fine, better cornering, no noises, etc. I'm waiting for the rear bar to arrive, and hope to get a little more improvement when that's installed.
Steve.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 380
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From: Bloomington, IN USA
Re: Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"? (30yrwait)
Thanks Steve. Maybe there is no problem. I'll just wait and see who else chimes in with opinions. I wonder what all this means when you lower the car....
JohnS
JohnS
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Metairie LA
Re: Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"? (JohnS)
You can get the adjustable links from the chevy performance parts catalog, have the guy at the counter find the T1 section, you can order the parts individually . I think they were about $25 each. Ken Fitchner has been helpful you can e-mail him thru the forum and he can ship them to you. Let me know how you make out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 380
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From: Bloomington, IN USA
Re: Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"? (JohnS)
Just finished the rear bars (much easier than the fronts). These seem to line up perfect. The rear bushings came lubricated, I don't know if that helped the rear bars align easier. The fronts still seem to be a little off, any danger to leaving them the way they are? The car seems to drive fine.
JohnS
JohnS
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Wellington FL
Re: Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"? (JohnS)
I also recently installed the front & rear Z51 bars from Ken. I used the metal links in both F & R. No problems in the rear, but I noticed the same problem when installing the fronts. What I did to help balance the bar side-to-side was to leave all the bolts loose - those where the links attach to the chassis, those where the bars attach to the links as well as those where the bars attach to the chassis. I was able to slide the bar slightly to the side that had more space between the bar and the suspension and then tightened the bolts that held the bar to the chassis. After that, I tightened the bolts holding the links to the chassis. Lastly, I tightened the bolts holing the bars to the links.
I just checked - about 200 miles of backroad driving since I installed the bars, and everything is still in the same position as when I finished the install.
The Z51 bars were a great addition to my base suspension. Same soft? ride and much flatter in the twisties.
Hope this helps.
2001 C5 convertible MN6- PEWTER :) :) :)
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 380
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From: Bloomington, IN USA
Re: Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"? (Mr. Clean)
Mr. Clean: Are you saying that the bars CAN be adjusted without the use of adjustable endlinks? If so, I'll give your method a try. Thanks.
JohnS
JohnS
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 380
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From: Bloomington, IN USA
Re: Do newly installed Stabilizer Bars "settle in"? (RonWhite)
Okay, went back out and measured. The bar is centered as best as I can tell. I did notice that the front ride height is not perfectly even anymore though (don't know if this is because of the bars or if I missed it when I measured before). Anyway, ride height is off by about 1/8" - maybe this is my problem - I'll let everyone know after adjusting ride height if that balances the stabilizer bar.
JohnS
JohnS
