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Rear sway bar broke. Replacement recommendations?

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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 01:42 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by Blue Blood
Stiffer rear bar = less rotation of the rear = understeer
= incorrect

Originally Posted by DuronClocker
Unless a C5 somehow defies usual suspension laws, a stiffer front bar produces understeer. Stiffer rear bar = oversteer.
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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 05:38 PM
  #22  
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Great info,, thanks for the information I will get in touch with Gene!

Originally Posted by Gideon's_Test
Jimcork1:
Your suspension is a F45. The Z51 is a bit more performance oriented.

Truly, the C6Z51 sways will be your best bang for the buck. They should be fairly neutral in terms of oversteer, but will corner flatter. Since they act sort of like a torsion suspension, the ride could become a bit firmer.

They're $200 from forum vendor Gene Culley. The C5Z06 is more prone to oversteer, as others have said.

From Gene's website :http://www.gmpartshouse.com/c5partslist.html

||--Genuine GM C6Z51 Sway Bar Kit--||

10323434 – Front stabilizer bar
10339124 – Rear stabilizer bar
10387838 (2) – Front stabilizer insulators
15241135 (2) – Rear stabilizer insulators

Complete kit front and rear is 199.24
Use part number c6z51bars on our website under Chevrolet make.

These sway bars do fit any C5 without any modifications.

This kit does not come with metal end links. If you want to add metal end links use part number 25932329 for $25.71 each.

GM has now updated all C5-C6 end links to the 2009 version.
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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Blue Blood
Stiffer rear bar = less rotation of the rear = understeer
Ehhhhhh.....thanks for playing....please deposit $.25 more cents to view the correct answer.
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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 08:34 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Gideon's_Test
The C5Z06 is more prone to oversteer, as others have said.
I found changing to the C5Z06 bars on my base suspension car turned the car to more understeer. It became more likely to push the front tires rather than have the back slide out.

Now, the C6Z06 bars would likely tend to oversteer or slide out the rear wheels.

At any rate, if you are buying new bars, the C6Z51 bars are a great deal and a great upgrade. I got a deal on C5Z06 springs and bars but never did install the springs.

Peter
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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 10:46 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by DuronClocker
Unless a C5 somehow defies usual suspension laws, a stiffer front bar produces understeer. Stiffer rear bar = oversteer.
Okay, I've been corrected several times. Sorry get the two terms mixed up. But I'm trying to say the same thing.
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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 10:47 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Uncle John
Ehhhhhh.....thanks for playing....please deposit $.25 more cents to view the correct answer.
so clever...
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 01:12 AM
  #27  
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Thanks guys for all the replies. I'M FEELIN' DA LUV!!! I'll take one of you up on the offer of your old sway bar. Thanks! FYI, my 02 coupe has about 85K miles- but almost all on freeways in So Cal, and always maintained and garaged. I do get on it once in a while..... hey its a vette..... but its not drag raced or abused. The suspension is stock and in good condition. The rear bar is very thin and hollow. The bushings look good. I suspect that rust is the culprit- with moisture accumulating at the edge of the bushing. Thanks again. JIM
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 01:22 PM
  #28  
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Bought the new sway bars from Gene as Ya'll recommended. Now waiting for them to arrive.

Convinced the wife I needed them because we don't want the old hollow tubes to break and leave us stranded while traveling.
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Old Mar 27, 2009 | 09:09 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by jimcork1
Bought the new sway bars from Gene as Ya'll recommended. Now waiting for them to arrive.

Convinced the wife I needed them because we don't want the old hollow tubes to break and leave us stranded while traveling.
NICE!

I did C6 Z51 bars and C5 Z 06 Springs last summer and it made a nice improvement to mine
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Old Apr 20, 2009 | 01:22 PM
  #30  
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Interesting thread. My 2002 convertible is in for the last repair under the extended warranty as I just turned 100K miles. They found a couple of items before I hit the 100K mark, but had to order parts. One of the things that had to be replaced was a rear wheel seal. To replace, you evidently have to remove the rear sway bar. Just got a call that it was rusted out under the bushings. My car is garage kept, even though it does get driven daily, rain, snow, etc. I just did an oil change and was pleasantly surprised at how dry and clean the car was underneath.

So, I was a little surprised at this happening. If they hadn't removed the sway bar, they would not have seen the rust, since it was under the bushings.

I was wondering if this is a common problem.

I just went back with the OEM parts, since I haven't had any problems. No labor since they had the bar off already. Parts were about $120

Frank Hamilton
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Old Apr 20, 2009 | 07:44 PM
  #31  
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Mine broke too... Its hollow, and broke on the driver side inner side right next to bushing... Good time to upgrade to z06 sways and metal links... I did after that.
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