sway bar help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lost wages · 11-12-2004, 03:54 AM

ok, this should be an easy thing to put together but im lost. I have a 1 1/16 sway bar off a 69 2wd half ton. I ordered the lowered brackets from early classic and poly bushings along with the other parts i needed. It was all fine but the bar sticks out of the bushing 3-4 inches where it is mounted on the control arm and rubs my air bag. i have turned the bar and brackets different ways with no solution. WTF am i missing? i knocked the rivets out of the crossmember and have studied the FAQ section with the write up on this swap.

OhioDan · 11-12-2004, 04:52 AM

Sounds like your brackets on the frame are mounted to far to the rear? Just did this mod, and had no problems.

Tx Firefighter · 11-12-2004, 08:15 AM

If you trimmed the ends of the bar, would it work then?

I have no idea of what it would take to trim a swaybar though. I think they are made out of the same steel as the door hinges of Hell are.

Huck · 11-12-2004, 09:07 AM

Correct original sway bar should extend no more then an inch beyond the lower A frame mounting bkt. Make sure you have the frame brackets in the correct place and are mounted correctly---. They usually are a pretty easy install--bolt up. If still an issue, post a picture so we can see what you are dealing with and can advise---be sure to show which mounting holes you are using on the frame. Huck

lost wages · 11-12-2004, 12:13 PM

the truck has a 77 front crossmember under it and a 68 frame, would the newer front end be more forward maybe?

Ole Blue · 11-12-2004, 02:11 PM

My truck has the 1 1/16 bar on it if you want to take a look at the factory install. I won't be home this weekend but the truck will if that helps. If you decide that you need to cut the bar I've got the stuff to make it a snap. I haven't forgotten about the front end alignment and scales for your truck, some stuff came up and got real busy. BTW Do you have the alignment specs that we would need? Like I said the truck will be out in the driveway if you want to scope it out. Take care, Bart

lost wages · 11-15-2004, 01:36 AM

ttt

***Josh*** · 11-15-2004, 01:56 AM

One last pic for lost.

lost wages · 11-15-2004, 01:58 AM

thanks jzero

Tx Firefighter · 11-15-2004, 08:04 AM

Trim an inch off the ends and you should be good to go.

I have no idea why your bar hangs out of the back of the brackets like that. It's obviously installed correctly.

Huck · 11-15-2004, 09:50 AM

Wo baby----not liking what I see here. Will take a picture of a stock setup and get back with you--- don't cut that bar just yet~~~~!

glock35ipsc · 11-15-2004, 10:27 AM

It looks to me that as the frame is lowered (moving the front of the bar down) and the lower control arm becomes closer to the frame (control arm moves "up", raising the rear of the bar), the rear of the sway bar would rotate up, closing the distance between the mounting point on the arm and the end of the bar. In other words, as the bar rotates up, the end of it naturally will swing farther back until it reached a level point, then move away from it again.

Clear as mud?

I can picture the motion in my simple little mind, but not sure I am explaining it well enough. But, imagine having the truck up on a lift, with no air bag installed, and the lower control arm in this position:

Now, start pulling down on the control arm and the sway bar should start to pull through the bushing closer to a normal position as it rotates down. I'm thinking that shortning the sway bar a little should do the trick, so long as there is not too much trimed off so that it could slip out if the front suspension reached full extension.

Just my $.02

lost wages · 11-15-2004, 01:01 PM

i had the truck on jack stands(not in these pics) and the a arms just hanging and it still was long.

rigo · 11-15-2004, 02:17 PM

the front of mine is bagged...and as I recall...mine was rubbing on the bag as well....I simply trimmed off the back edges a little at a time till I found what I needed...

rigo

71Chev · 11-15-2004, 02:25 PM

Looks like the center frame brackets are mounted in the wrong holes. The rear hole in the frame brackets need to be in the hole that front lower crossmember rivet was in.

edit: I can't tell for sure if the brackets are mounted in the correct location, all that silver has my eyes playing tricks. But it's sure nice to look at.

glock35ipsc · 11-15-2004, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lost wages

i had the truck on jack stands(not in these pics) and the a arms just hanging and it still was long.

Well, what I would do then is get the front end up on jack stands (on the frame) so that the suspension is at full extension. First, be sure all the mounting hardware for the sway bar is fully tightened. Then mark the end of the bar so there is at least 1/2" to 1" still hanging out the end, and cut them there. At least that way you know they will not come out of the bushing when you Dukes of Hazzard the next bridge!

glock35ipsc · 11-15-2004, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71Chev

Looks like the center frame brackets are mounted in the wrong holes. The rear hole in the frame brackets need to be in the hole that front lower crossmember rivet was in.

edit: I can't tell for sure if the brackets are mounted in the correct location, all that silver has my eyes playing tricks. But it's sure nice to look at.

I'm pretty sure they are. I pulled out some pics of mine and they are in the same spot. I'm kinda puzzled as to why is would be too long,

but I think he would be OK to trim them after some careful measuring.

neonlarry · 11-15-2004, 03:01 PM

It may be my eyesight or just the prespective ( my bar is 1¼") but that sway bar looks like the arms are longer than my bars. Mine measure 14 1/8" from the front of the bar to the end of the arm, check the measurement on yours.

Huck · 11-15-2004, 08:18 PM

My frame mounting brackets drop about 2 3/4" in the rear which look like it is more then yours. They mount---rear hole in the front crossmember hole on frame and the front bracket hole aligns in the first circular hole behind the ovel one. My sway bar extends maybe 3/4" beyond the lower A frame mounting bushing.

11-12-2004, 03:54 AM	#1
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	sway bar help ok, this should be an easy thing to put together but im lost. I have a 1 1/16 sway bar off a 69 2wd half ton. I ordered the lowered brackets from early classic and poly bushings along with the other parts i needed. It was all fine but the bar sticks out of the bushing 3-4 inches where it is mounted on the control arm and rubs my air bag. i have turned the bar and brackets different ways with no solution. WTF am i missing? i knocked the rivets out of the crossmember and have studied the FAQ section with the write up on this swap.

11-12-2004, 04:52 AM	#2
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	Sounds like your brackets on the frame are mounted to far to the rear? Just did this mod, and had no problems. __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

11-12-2004, 08:15 AM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	If you trimmed the ends of the bar, would it work then? I have no idea of what it would take to trim a swaybar though. I think they are made out of the same steel as the door hinges of Hell are. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-12-2004, 02:11 PM	#6
Ole Blue Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Holts Summit, Mo. Posts: 58	My truck has the 1 1/16 bar on it if you want to take a look at the factory install. I won't be home this weekend but the truck will if that helps. If you decide that you need to cut the bar I've got the stuff to make it a snap. I haven't forgotten about the front end alignment and scales for your truck, some stuff came up and got real busy. BTW Do you have the alignment specs that we would need? Like I said the truck will be out in the driveway if you want to scope it out. Take care, Bart __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super waiting on 4/6 drop,BB and 700r4

11-15-2004, 01:36 AM	#7
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	ttt Attached Images

11-12-2004, 09:07 AM	#4
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Correct original sway bar should extend no more then an inch beyond the lower A frame mounting bkt. Make sure you have the frame brackets in the correct place and are mounted correctly---. They usually are a pretty easy install--bolt up. If still an issue, post a picture so we can see what you are dealing with and can advise---be sure to show which mounting holes you are using on the frame. Huck

11-12-2004, 12:13 PM	#5
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	the truck has a 77 front crossmember under it and a 68 frame, would the newer front end be more forward maybe?

11-15-2004, 01:56 AM	#8
*Josh* He's got mean nasty FANGS! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Rockwell, NC Posts: 6,509	One last pic for lost. Attached Images __________________ 2004 K2500 Burb 1999 C3500 1985 Cutlass Supreme 1969 C-10 1967 C-10 Panel josh@67-72chevytrucks.com

11-15-2004, 01:58 AM	#9
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	thanks jzero

11-15-2004, 08:04 AM	#10
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Trim an inch off the ends and you should be good to go. I have no idea why your bar hangs out of the back of the brackets like that. It's obviously installed correctly. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-15-2004, 09:50 AM	#11
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Wo baby----not liking what I see here. Will take a picture of a stock setup and get back with you--- don't cut that bar just yet~~~~!

11-15-2004, 10:27 AM	#12
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	It looks to me that as the frame is lowered (moving the front of the bar down) and the lower control arm becomes closer to the frame (control arm moves "up", raising the rear of the bar), the rear of the sway bar would rotate up, closing the distance between the mounting point on the arm and the end of the bar. In other words, as the bar rotates up, the end of it naturally will swing farther back until it reached a level point, then move away from it again. Clear as mud? I can picture the motion in my simple little mind, but not sure I am explaining it well enough. But, imagine having the truck up on a lift, with no air bag installed, and the lower control arm in this position: Now, start pulling down on the control arm and the sway bar should start to pull through the bushing closer to a normal position as it rotates down. I'm thinking that shortning the sway bar a little should do the trick, so long as there is not too much trimed off so that it could slip out if the front suspension reached full extension. Just my $.02 __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE Last edited by glock35ipsc; 11-15-2004 at 10:30 AM.

11-15-2004, 01:01 PM	#13
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	i had the truck on jack stands(not in these pics) and the a arms just hanging and it still was long.

11-15-2004, 02:17 PM	#14
rigo Flake Daddy Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainview TEXAS Posts: 456	the front of mine is bagged...and as I recall...mine was rubbing on the bag as well....I simply trimmed off the back edges a little at a time till I found what I needed... rigo __________________ 1968 SWB Fleet Daily Driver 350/TH400 shaved driprail,emblems,tailgate,air ride suspension 1964 Pontiac Catalina 2dr. hardtop shaved everything, air ride suspension 1998 Range Rover 1960 El Camino....in the works.....

11-15-2004, 02:25 PM	#15
71Chev Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,074	Looks like the center frame brackets are mounted in the wrong holes. The rear hole in the frame brackets need to be in the hole that front lower crossmember rivet was in. edit: I can't tell for sure if the brackets are mounted in the correct location, all that silver has my eyes playing tricks. But it's sure nice to look at. __________________ 71 Chevy CST Long Fleet 350/350/3.07 leaf rear. Last edited by 71Chev; 11-15-2004 at 02:30 PM.



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11-15-2004, 03:01 PM	#18
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	It may be my eyesight or just the prespective ( my bar is 1¼") but that sway bar looks like the arms are longer than my bars. Mine measure 14 1/8" from the front of the bar to the end of the arm, check the measurement on yours. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

11-15-2004, 08:18 PM	#19
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	My frame mounting brackets drop about 2 3/4" in the rear which look like it is more then yours. They mount---rear hole in the front crossmember hole on frame and the front bracket hole aligns in the first circular hole behind the ovel one. My sway bar extends maybe 3/4" beyond the lower A frame mounting bushing.

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