Hey guys, I have an odd problem with my suspension. I recently "restored" and lowered (sportlines) my front and year suspension, with a few upgrades/mods here and there. Everything is new GM, or aftermarket. It's a 95 that originally came with a V6 that has long since gone the way of the dodo and pauly shore's career. I then changed all the V6 pieces to V8.
Now the problem is with my swaybar. The last thing I removed was the swaybar before I removed the rear end and rebuilt it. So naturally it's the last thing I tried to install.

But, it won't fit. I replaced the factory sway bar with the Energy Suspension 1" sway bar. (Jegs P# 876-51055 Camaro/Firebird 1982-02) and added a Proform chrome cover. When I try to finish installing the bar, and install the end links. They are way too long (spacers) and if I squeeze them in the bar swings upwards into the cover and wants to bend it. The odd thing? the link is exactly the same size to long or very close to as much as the sportlines lower the car. A friend suggested I install or fab 1 1/2 lowering blocks under the bar's 2 axle mounts, but that is ghetto to me, and a blemish on the job I've worked so hard on. The torque arm is off currently and the vehicle up on 4 jackstands. The cover might be a little more stuck out and with the thicker sway bar, these might be some of the main factors involved, but I'm not sure. I'm at my wits end, I don't understand what is causing this and I don't want to ghettofy (parden the pun ) my suspension. What can I do?

-Bone-

 

Two options I can see...

1) If the torque arm is off, how do you know the rear end is positioned (rotated) correctly? Maybe that's what's causing the swaybar to hit.

2) If your endlinks are too long, they're probably the stock length. A 2" spring drop should coincide with a 2" shortening of the end link spacers. Maybe that'll fix your problem.

Dave

 

Thanks Dave,

I know because I used a angle finder and moved the rear end to the correct position, and it got worse. I just got out of the garage and dropped it back on all 4 tires for the first time in 4 months.

With the correct torque arm angle and the car at it's new unloaded ride height, I think I have a massive 1/8 of space between the sway bar flange and the body mount flange.

Add me in there and a bump and there you go, torn off swaybar!! It's literally around 1.8 to 2.00 off total. (up from the best measurement of 1 1/2 I got on jack stands)

I never knew I had to cut the end links when I lowered one... But I don't think that's even possible, as now I can't even fit a molecule in there. I'm even more confused than before. This is my first lowered car and the new adjustable shocks and springs have a nice feel, and work great, its extremely frustrating that the stupidist component of the bunch is giving me premature baldness. It's like it doesnt even belong on that car.

So any more suggestions anybody?

[edit]

Is there any differences between the v6 sway bar positioning brackets versus the v8? Remember, mioe had a v6 set-up before.

 

I use to have Sportline springs and a 21.5mm rear bar but never had an issue in mounting the rear bar. Did your new bar come with new mounting hardware?? Can you take some pictures so I can see exactly what you're talking about???

 

Hmm, interesting. Never seen the Proform cover, but does it stick out any more than the stocker? When I went to my 12-bolt, I had to use two exhaust clamps to move the stock sway bar off the rear cover. That's the only thing I can think of.

 

Brueck: Yes it came with all new hardware and the bar is larger than the stock one by I think 1/4 to 1/2 inch. So it would have to. I'll try and use my crappy digi cam and take some pics.

mongse_1: The proform cover doesnt stick out all that much more that I've noticed. It just looks that way to me. (a father knows all his daughters birthmarks )

Anyway, I'll try and get the digi working.. and report back.

 

Well folks, in over 12 years of working on cars, I have discovered that I'm... an idiot.

The bar is on upside down, I was calling Eibach, and suddenly the thought popped in my head. I hung up rudely on the techy, and grabbed my repair manual. Sure enough, the \__/ part of the bar goes under the case, and not in front of the cover's hump like I have it now.

This is the second bone headed move I've pulled lately. My work schedule is just wiping me out and not to mention woman troubles, I just can't focus. I think I'll stay out of the garage for a bit. I thank all those who tried to help.

 

It could have been worse - the car could have been upside-down and the bar could have been right

Glad you got it fixed...

Dave

 

Don't feel bad... we've all done it. Well... maybe not!!!

 

Thanks guys, you made me feel... alot better?