Johnny O'Connell sway bar install question.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
From: Crownsville Maryland
Johnny O'Connell sway bar install question.
I'm installing a Johnny O'Connell sway bar kit on my C6 base coupe. The problem is the front stock (OEM) sway bar bushing brackets leave about a 1/4" gap where it bolts to the frame due to bigger bar and bushing
I'd like to know what others have done to fill in the gap.
For now I'll put some washers in, but this doesn't cradle the bushing fully. It's a bit of a guessing game on how many washers to put in don't want to pinch the bushing and don't want it to loose.
I'd like to know what others have done to fill in the gap.
For now I'll put some washers in, but this doesn't cradle the bushing fully. It's a bit of a guessing game on how many washers to put in don't want to pinch the bushing and don't want it to loose.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: MCHENRY ILLINOIS
sway bars
i have gm t1 sway bars , i adjusted them where i could push them up and down with 1 hand, also coated rubber bushing with anti seize carful the stuff is mesy, if they are to tight , they will squick i used washers for the adjust hope this helps 
Former Vendor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 9
From: Marietta Ga
V4kerker,
There WILL be a small gap between the bracket and the cradle surface (so that the bushing will compress a bit).
First, make sure that the bushing is oriented correctly.
ie. - There is a small raised section in the middle of the bushing. This goes up into the recess of the cradle.
Lubricate it well, and torque it to GM Spec 43 lbs/ft on the torque wrench.
Then you are good to go!
Stephen
MTI Racing
Authorized Pfadt Dealer
There WILL be a small gap between the bracket and the cradle surface (so that the bushing will compress a bit).
First, make sure that the bushing is oriented correctly.
ie. - There is a small raised section in the middle of the bushing. This goes up into the recess of the cradle.
Lubricate it well, and torque it to GM Spec 43 lbs/ft on the torque wrench.
Then you are good to go!
Stephen
MTI Racing
Authorized Pfadt Dealer
Former Vendor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 9
From: Marietta Ga
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
From: Crownsville Maryland
I still need to put the back swaybar and shocks on.Thanks for you imput guys. MTI the bushing are in right. When I get time to get back under the car late Sunday or Monday I'll take some pictures. Those bushing brackets look like the weak link in the setup now (cheap stamped metal). I think the best way to fill in the 1/4" gaps would be aluminum flat bar of proper thickness length and width. It would be nice if Pfadt made a bushing bracket for this install.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
From: Crownsville Maryland
Jonny O'Connell sway bar install
Link to album of sway bar bushing bracket. 
Not sure how this post will turn out but I'm a forum rookie at posting pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/album.php?albumid=24785
Not sure how this post will turn out but I'm a forum rookie at posting pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/album.php?albumid=24785
Last edited by V4kerker; Mar 11, 2012 at 09:25 PM. Reason: adding link to pics
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
From: Crownsville Maryland
I'll be finished today with this swaybar and shock install. I have to run out and buy more tools this morning. The direction call for a 22mm wrench/socket but after doing a search it sounds like the rear shock lower mounting bolt/nut needs a 24mm wrench/socket.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 940
Likes: 1
From: Long Island NY
If those bars are larger in diameter than stock, did they come with new bushings? Some bushings have a groove that the bracket must fit into. Did you use a little lube between the bar and bushing? The bracket should not bend. My guess is the bushings are incorrect for the diameter of the bar. Did you try contacting the manufacturer?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
From: Crownsville Maryland
If those bars are larger in diameter than stock, did they come with new bushings? Some bushings have a groove that the bracket must fit into. Did you use a little lube between the bar and bushing? The bracket should not bend. My guess is the bushings are incorrect for the diameter of the bar. Did you try contacting the manufacturer?
Took the car out for a spin. I can say the car doesn't roll over like it used too
. The ride is just alittle firmer for a DD The real test will be my next HPDE hopefully at the end of the month or next month for sure.I can say just from the short ride the Johnny O'Connell package is worth the time and money to install on a base C6 corvette if you want something better handling
. Car has 45K on it and the left rear shock was bad anyway.The down side to the install was finding the dreaded front main seal leaking; oil all over the front of the pan
. Time to use my GMPP and get it fixed.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
Yes to everything marc8090. I finished the swaybar/shock install this morning; ended up putting in two 3/8" washers per bolt for the front swaybar bushing brackets.
Took the car out for a spin. I can say the car doesn't roll over like it used too. The ride is just alittle firmer for a DD The real test will be my next HPDE hopefully at the end of the month or next month for sure.
I can say just from the short ride the Johnny O'Connell package is worth the time and money to install on a base C6 corvette if you want something better handling. Car has 45K on it and the left rear shock was bad anyway.
Took the car out for a spin. I can say the car doesn't roll over like it used too
. The ride is just alittle firmer for a DD The real test will be my next HPDE hopefully at the end of the month or next month for sure.I can say just from the short ride the Johnny O'Connell package is worth the time and money to install on a base C6 corvette if you want something better handling
. Car has 45K on it and the left rear shock was bad anyway.Make sure that the raised portion of the bushing sits properly into the groove in the bracket, and use as many washers as needed to allow the bar to rotate with a little bit of force by hand if the endlinks are disconnected. If you used a couple 3/8th's washers that's perfect.
Glad to hear that your really happy with the increase in performance! We really love the JO kit!
Last edited by Pfadt Racing; Mar 12, 2012 at 07:01 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
From: Crownsville Maryland
Marc8090 I'm not sure but there's probably no problem with the Z06 install and maybe Z51; different suspensions to begin with. If I listened to the Pfadt JO kit video right they designed the kit on a Z06 but can be used on any model C6.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 940
Likes: 1
From: Long Island NY
Instead of using washers what about getting the right size bushings from either a Z06 or Z51 car? The front bar on the Z06 and Z51 is the same so if that's the size you need that should be easy. The rear bars are different though. If one of them was right for your bars you would have to figure out which one. Sounds like you have base size bushings which sounds like they are too small for those bars.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
Instead of using washers what about getting the right size bushings from either a Z06 or Z51 car? The front bar on the Z06 and Z51 is the same so if that's the size you need that should be easy. The rear bars are different though. If one of them was right for your bars you would have to figure out which one. Sounds like you have base size bushings which sounds like they are too small for those bars.
Use the bushings that come with the kit, if your car requires a little bit of spacing at the frame don't hesitate to use washers to get it done.
The kit was designed using a Z06 but will work on any C5/C6 car. We've got folks who have installed this kit on everything from a C5 base to a C6Z and have been extremely happy with the results.
