Sway/Stabilizer bar advice needed.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
Sway/Stabilizer bar advice needed.
Hi. I purchased & received Steinjager J0015196 - front and
rear sway bars to replace my stock ones. I'm not a racer, just
wanted to improve on stock bars. Stock bars sizes are front:
23mm, rear: 17mm. New bar sizes are front: 33mm, rear: 26mm.
Is this too much of a diameter difference or did I make an
error? Also, I replaced the original end links (which were
wore out) to Moog K750136. Will these links work with the new
bars or should I seek adjustable links? Last question, will
these new bars hit the control arms? Any advice/suggestions
from the senior members would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you.
rear sway bars to replace my stock ones. I'm not a racer, just
wanted to improve on stock bars. Stock bars sizes are front:
23mm, rear: 17mm. New bar sizes are front: 33mm, rear: 26mm.
Is this too much of a diameter difference or did I make an
error? Also, I replaced the original end links (which were
wore out) to Moog K750136. Will these links work with the new
bars or should I seek adjustable links? Last question, will
these new bars hit the control arms? Any advice/suggestions
from the senior members would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 120
Hi. I purchased & received Steinjager J0015196 - front and
rear sway bars to replace my stock ones. I'm not a racer, just
wanted to improve on stock bars. Stock bars sizes are front:
23mm, rear: 17mm. New bar sizes are front: 33mm, rear: 26mm.
Is this too much of a diameter difference or did I make an
error? Also, I replaced the original end links (which were
wore out) to Moog K750136. Will these links work with the new
bars or should I seek adjustable links? Last question, will
these new bars hit the control arms? Any advice/suggestions
from the senior members would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you.
rear sway bars to replace my stock ones. I'm not a racer, just
wanted to improve on stock bars. Stock bars sizes are front:
23mm, rear: 17mm. New bar sizes are front: 33mm, rear: 26mm.
Is this too much of a diameter difference or did I make an
error? Also, I replaced the original end links (which were
wore out) to Moog K750136. Will these links work with the new
bars or should I seek adjustable links? Last question, will
these new bars hit the control arms? Any advice/suggestions
from the senior members would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you.
The solid end links alone are a nice upgrade though. I don't know about adjustable links; are you thinking of adjustable bars?
The bars won't hit the control arms (if everything is installed correctly).
Last edited by Sam Handwich; Aug 12, 2016 at 05:50 PM.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
Thank you for the reply. I'm a novice so I was reading forums to educate myself. One thread mentioned the bar hitting the control arm and needing adjustable links. That's where I got that. I was concerned about the large diameter difference. The site I bought the bars from did not state bar size so I was surprised when I received them. The only other concern I had was the bars hitting other components in the front. For example, the fan sensor on left side of car and radiator hose on right side. Any experience about this? Or am I being to worried? Thanks again for responding.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 120
Thank you for the reply. I'm a novice so I was reading forums to educate myself. One thread mentioned the bar hitting the control arm and needing adjustable links. That's where I got that. I was concerned about the large diameter difference. The site I bought the bars from did not state bar size so I was surprised when I received them. The only other concern I had was the bars hitting other components in the front. For example, the fan sensor on left side of car and radiator hose on right side. Any experience about this? Or am I being to worried? Thanks again for responding.
People said it is a one-hour job, so I must be "wrench-tarded" because it took me a lot longer.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
I think that the actual swapping of the bars, probably takes an hour. BUT, the car has to be off the ground a fair amount, yet the suspension has to be "loaded", in order to get the links attached, so I would think it would take an hour just to get the car in that position, before the actual work can start. At least that's been my experience, on a number of projects....
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
Thank you all for responding. I'll go ahead with replacement. I did get new bushings with bars. Sounds like I'm being to worried. I've learned a lot on this forum so far so I knew I could count on you guys for advice. Thanks again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Just remember the Moog end links come with zerk grease fittings, so remember to check that they are greased. Are the bushings that came with the bars rubber or poly?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 122
Likes: 19
From: Phoenix AZ
You will notice an improvement, but I don't think it will be a huge difference. That doesn't seem like much of an increase in bar size. When I went to bigger sways the visual difference was very obvious.
The solid end links alone are a nice upgrade though. I don't know about adjustable links; are you thinking of adjustable bars?
The bars won't hit the control arms (if everything is installed correctly).
The solid end links alone are a nice upgrade though. I don't know about adjustable links; are you thinking of adjustable bars?
The bars won't hit the control arms (if everything is installed correctly).
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
C5 C6 sway bars specs
Base C5 (All Years): 23.0 mm front - 19.1 mm rear
Z51 C5 (97-99): 25.4 mm front - 21.7 mm rear
Z51 C5 (01-04): 28.6 mm front - 23.6 mm rear
Z06 C5 (All Years): 30.0 mm front - 23.6 mm rear
Base C6 (All Years): 25.5 mm front - 17.5 mm rear
Z51 C6 (All Years): 31.0 mm front - 25.4 mm rear
Z06 C6 (All Years): 31.0 mm front - 28.0 mm rear
GS C6 (All Years): 31.0 mm front - 28.0 mm rear
ZR1 C6 (All Years): 33.0 mm front - 31.0 mm rear
Eibach (C5): 29.0 mm front - 25.0 mm rear
Pfadt (C5): 34.9 mm front - 28.6 mm rear
Hotchkis 2284 (C5): 32.0 mm front - 29.0 mm rear
Hotchkis 2285 (C5): 32.0 mm front - 25.0 mm rear
The OP's bars are the same as a C6ZRI front and a shade larger than a C6 Z51 rear.
To the OP: what size wheels and tires are you running and with what shocks?
Last edited by alxltd1; Aug 13, 2016 at 03:42 PM.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
Here's the result. Pricing the sway bars online I found them to be $110-$170 each. The site I got them from are selling both for $125 for both. How could I go wrong? I've got a base model that has a 23mm bar in front. Nowhere on the site states what size the new bars are. When I got them I realized they were 33mm so I came here to the forum for advice. You guys are correct, the new bars do fit. However, the center curve of the bar is so large that the room for the bushing bracket bolts do not line up and would have to be forced in. With my machining experience with steel to aluminum, I decided this cannot be a good result for the tapped hole. I've decided that I will return the new bars and do more homework for less expensive aftermarket bars or just bite the bullet and go to the dealer for correct size. I do thank all who replied. Lesson learned on my part. Hopefully someone out there can learn from my error.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
I put the c6z bars on my base coupe and they fit fine. I'm not sure why you are having trouble with the mounting brackets unless you have the incorrect rubber bushings installed (which are easily sourced).
The sizes you mentioned are a popular upgrade and have gotten excellent reviews (z51 sways). You can get them new from Cultrag Performance, a forum member here, or used from eBay.
The sizes you mentioned are a popular upgrade and have gotten excellent reviews (z51 sways). You can get them new from Cultrag Performance, a forum member here, or used from eBay.
Last edited by Rob 02; Aug 13, 2016 at 04:13 PM.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
The bushings are to large. The bracket is bent on the sides where the bushing is supposed to fit, it doesn't. The bushing wants to naturally slide right out. This may be the culprit. The other thing I noticed putting in the 33mm bar is it pushes on the radiator hose. There is less than a 1/4" clearance from the original 23mm bar. I'm afraid what kind of radiator problems I will create with the new bar. Has anyone had this issue?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
I have seen them installed upside down.
It should be the same bar just thicker. I wouldn't try to install it links first. I would fasten it to the engine cradle first.
It should be the same bar just thicker. I wouldn't try to install it links first. I would fasten it to the engine cradle first.
Last edited by Rob 02; Aug 13, 2016 at 07:22 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
I just went out and looked. My 2008 bushing fits fine on 2002. There are grooves in it and the bushing only fits one way. It's also possible that someone put a bushing on there from another vehicle if the outside of it doesn't match the old ones.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the input. I've decided to return the bars. For some reason they just do not fit on my car. I actually damaged the threads in my attempt. Luckily I had the correct metric tap handy and re-tapped the holes. All is good. Going to get bars from dealer and make darn sure the size is the same. Thanks again.
Thanks for the input. I've decided to return the bars. For some reason they just do not fit on my car. I actually damaged the threads in my attempt. Luckily I had the correct metric tap handy and re-tapped the holes. All is good. Going to get bars from dealer and make darn sure the size is the same. Thanks again.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 122
Likes: 19
From: Phoenix AZ
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the input. I've decided to return the bars. For some reason they just do not fit on my car. I actually damaged the threads in my attempt. Luckily I had the correct metric tap handy and re-tapped the holes. All is good. Going to get bars from dealer and make darn sure the size is the same. Thanks again.
Thanks for the input. I've decided to return the bars. For some reason they just do not fit on my car. I actually damaged the threads in my attempt. Luckily I had the correct metric tap handy and re-tapped the holes. All is good. Going to get bars from dealer and make darn sure the size is the same. Thanks again.
