Sway bar dilemma

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by RichCampisi, Jul 29, 2017.

  1. RichCampisi

    RichCampisi Member

    hello fellows,

    I'm new to the Buick world but familiar with 68-72 Abody. Recently picked a very original 1968 Buick special deluxe. Ordered an Addo 1.25" sway bar from summit and when I try to install it doesn't have enough height to go over the steering arms seems like the wrong bend. Very strange as I have ordered these for my 68 442 and 69 chevelle.
    Anyone know of a brand and 1.25" yhatvknow they fit. Any help would be appreciated.
     

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  2. tsgp51

    tsgp51 Well-Known Member

    Cheers,I think your sway bar end links are too short.I looked at my Buick and there's about a3-4 inch spacer between the bushings your spacer looks about 1-1/2 -2.I think that will fix you right up.
    Good luck, Tim
     
  3. RichCampisi

    RichCampisi Member

    Not sure if that's the problem. See the stock sway bar with the same endlinks there is a ton of space. The bend on the bar is completely different. If I add the spacers I'd have to lift that bar up which puts the hole at the end of bar on the completely different angle.
    Thanks for input maybe I'll try another company's bar.
     
  4. RichCampisi

    RichCampisi Member

  5. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Have you tried flipped over
     
  6. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Looks like you have some aftermarket control arms and coil overs(air suspension) also? That may be complicating things. Sumitt is pretty good at returns. If the stock bar fits, maybe you got the wrong part number. You might be able to find a bar at the boneyard. What was the part number of the bar you received?

    http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/swaybar.htm

    Here is the Addco catalog page,




    SkylarkAddcoCatalog.JPG
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2017
  7. deluxe68

    deluxe68 Well-Known Member

    I use the same bar, had to use the longer spacers (energy suspension poly kit) and trim the bolts a little.
    But with your aftermarket control arms and shocks, I'm not sure that's the fix but I would try it first.
    Control arm supplier does not have a sway bar?
     
  8. cjeboyle

    cjeboyle Gold Level Contributor

    Looks to me like in the first pic you have weight on the wheels and in the second pic the car is off the ground. I agree as others have stated. Longer end links!
    Cliff
     
  9. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    I don't think the "original" end links are original. They are way shorter than most I've seen. I've put a dozen Trans Am sway bars on old Buicks and the end link nearly touches the upper ball joint.
     
  10. RichCampisi

    RichCampisi Member

    appreciate all the replies-
    that bar is ADDCO 709 - which says alt-

    with car resting down on tires the bar still touches- Those end links are probably not org but with the stock bar there is plenty of room-
    probably will try another company that includes the new endlinks and bushings -

    thank you.

    rich
     
  11. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    Again, all you need is longer end links. Those look to be about 1.5" and are WAY too short. The bend on the aftermarket bar may be different but the stock bar diameter is so much smaller as well.

    If you put something longer on it, available at every parts store on the planet, you'll solve this problem in 20 minutes. Here's a few, one from Jeg's, one from Summit that are 3.5" & 3.25" respectively. Auto Zone, Advance, O'Reilly's or NAPA should all carry something similar. Just tell them end links for a 79 Trans Am.

    http://www.jegs.com/i/Energy-Suspension/355/9-8124R/10002/-1

    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ptp-19-409/overview/make/pontiac/model/firebird/submodel/trans-am
     
  12. RichCampisi

    RichCampisi Member

    point taken - thank you
     

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