Bent Sway Bar - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Constructor1 · 03-09-2011, 08:04 PM

I was under my truck and noticed that my sway bar looks bent. Are they designed to have the bend in them, or is this damaged? It appears that if the bar were straight, it would be to long. Maybe one of you fine folks can tell me if this looks right to you.

**lolife99** · 03-09-2011, 08:22 PM

That is BENT!
It's not a sway bar it's the panhard bar/track bar that keeps the rearend "centered" under the truck.
I would take some measurements and see if the brake backing plates are the same distancefrom each frame rail.

eagleuh1 · 03-09-2011, 08:23 PM

Thats not your sway bar. Thats the panhard bar. Are your wheels centered side to side. It looks like they would be pulled to the drivers side if bent.

**lolife99** · 03-09-2011, 08:24 PM

I'm not sure if you want to try to straighten it or not.
I probably have a stock one you can have,... if you can't find one locally.

ETsC10 · 03-09-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolife99

I'm not sure if you want to try to straighten it or not.
I probably have a stock one you can have,... if you can't find one locally.

Very generous lolife!
And, yup. Pretty bent.

**lolife99** · 03-09-2011, 08:42 PM

Just for a reference point.
A stock track bar should be 24" center-to-center.
(or 25-3/8" overall length)

dave2953 · 03-09-2011, 09:31 PM

Wow! How did that happen? I've never seen one bent before, let alone bent like that.

Constructor1 · 03-09-2011, 09:49 PM

Thanks for the replies. I am pretty sure it was like this from previous owner as all driving I have done has been fairly gentle.
I will take some measurements tomorrow. What is worst case damage this would cause driving the truck with the bar bent like this. I have probably put 500 miles on truck since I bought it.

Constructor1 · 03-09-2011, 10:06 PM

I went ahead and went out in the dark and crawled under the truck to measure. From bolt to bolt is 24" so That will make the bar much longer than that. Rough measurement in the dark with stiff tape was around 26". Could this be from another vehicle and the PO bent to make fit?
My measurements from back of brake drum to frame were 12" driver side and 11" passenger.
lolife99 - thanks for the offer. I will see if I can find one locally and then go from there.

**too much stuff** · 03-09-2011, 10:10 PM

Does your truck have any drop? If it does, PO may have done that to "get by"

**lolife99** · 03-09-2011, 10:17 PM

Didn't the earlier trucks (60-6?) have a longer track bar that connected to a mount on the passenger side axle tube?
Also,... have the rear springs been heated?

Idealy,... you want the rearend centered,... whether its at stock height or lowered.
If it's lowered you might need to purchase an adjustable track bar to bring the rearend back to center.

Like it is now,... I would think the truck would "dog track" down the road.

Constructor1 · 03-09-2011, 10:27 PM

I am unsure if it has a drop. It appears to be sitting low in the rear - or level with front, but not sure what PO may have done. It seems to drive just fine, no uneven wear on tires or strange movements that I can tell.

oldblue1968chevy · 03-09-2011, 10:48 PM

PO could've heated the springs..

If you need a 67-72 24" bar, Ive gotta extra one you can have if needed (Was sent to me free when I needed one). Let me know

03-09-2011, 08:04 PM	#1
Constructor1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 89	Bent Sway Bar I was under my truck and noticed that my sway bar looks bent. Are they designed to have the bend in them, or is this damaged? It appears that if the bar were straight, it would be to long. Maybe one of you fine folks can tell me if this looks right to you. Attached Images

03-09-2011, 08:22 PM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,701	Re: Bent Sway Bar That is BENT! It's not a sway bar it's the panhard bar/track bar that keeps the rearend "centered" under the truck. I would take some measurements and see if the brake backing plates are the same distancefrom each frame rail. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

03-09-2011, 08:23 PM	#3
eagleuh1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russellville, Arkansas Posts: 1,699	Re: Bent Sway Bar Thats not your sway bar. Thats the panhard bar. Are your wheels centered side to side. It looks like they would be pulled to the drivers side if bent.

03-09-2011, 08:24 PM	#4
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,701	Re: Bent Sway Bar I'm not sure if you want to try to straighten it or not. I probably have a stock one you can have,... if you can't find one locally. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

03-09-2011, 08:42 PM	#6
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,701	Re: Bent Sway Bar Just for a reference point. A stock track bar should be 24" center-to-center. (or 25-3/8" overall length) __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

03-09-2011, 09:31 PM	#7
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Bent Sway Bar Wow! How did that happen? I've never seen one bent before, let alone bent like that. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

03-09-2011, 09:49 PM	#8
Constructor1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 89	Re: Bent Sway Bar Thanks for the replies. I am pretty sure it was like this from previous owner as all driving I have done has been fairly gentle. I will take some measurements tomorrow. What is worst case damage this would cause driving the truck with the bar bent like this. I have probably put 500 miles on truck since I bought it.

03-09-2011, 10:06 PM	#9
Constructor1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 89	Re: Bent Sway Bar I went ahead and went out in the dark and crawled under the truck to measure. From bolt to bolt is 24" so That will make the bar much longer than that. Rough measurement in the dark with stiff tape was around 26". Could this be from another vehicle and the PO bent to make fit? My measurements from back of brake drum to frame were 12" driver side and 11" passenger. lolife99 - thanks for the offer. I will see if I can find one locally and then go from there.

03-09-2011, 10:10 PM	#10
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,790	Re: Bent Sway Bar Does your truck have any drop? If it does, PO may have done that to "get by" __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

03-09-2011, 10:17 PM	#11
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,701	Re: Bent Sway Bar Didn't the earlier trucks (60-6?) have a longer track bar that connected to a mount on the passenger side axle tube? Also,... have the rear springs been heated? Idealy,... you want the rearend centered,... whether its at stock height or lowered. If it's lowered you might need to purchase an adjustable track bar to bring the rearend back to center. Like it is now,... I would think the truck would "dog track" down the road. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

03-09-2011, 10:27 PM	#12
Constructor1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 89	Re: Bent Sway Bar I am unsure if it has a drop. It appears to be sitting low in the rear - or level with front, but not sure what PO may have done. It seems to drive just fine, no uneven wear on tires or strange movements that I can tell.

03-09-2011, 10:48 PM	#13
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Bent Sway Bar PO could've heated the springs.. If you need a 67-72 24" bar, Ive gotta extra one you can have if needed (Was sent to me free when I needed one). Let me know __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4



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