My new sway bar bolts with the bushings (7" Bolts) seem very close to the upper A arm and bolt joint. The original I took out were a 7" fine thread bolt and I think was original to car....but ? Probably only a 1.5" away from contact. Any concern here....never really noticed it before but car was disassembled like 3 years ago. Original sway bar to the car just new bolt/bushing kit. Coils are originals with new gas shocks. Car is a 1970 GS 455. Do you have pixs of yours or take some of mine help ? Any suggestions or comments appreciated. Thanx Dave
I will take some pictures and post them. Just funny old bolts are 7" and these from Parts Place are also. And you guys have a 70-72 that could look quick at yours? Post pixs tomorrow. Thanx Dave
do you mean the swaybar link bolts? which way are you installing the bolts? bolt s/b installed from the top down.
Gerry : No I have the bolts installed from bottom with nut on the top. Remaning thread is sticking up. I just redid them the way were installed from my old pix before dis-assembly. So yours are bolt going top down through to bottom? Thanx Dave
Here's a picture of mine... Can you see what you need to here? The bolts on mine go from top to bottom Either way the distance between the upper and lower control arms never changes really so I cant see any contact happening.
The bolts are installed from the top down as per gstewart, and cstanley-gs. That way the excess thread is under the lower A frame and will not interfere with any other suspension parts. Looks like yours were incorrectly installed upside down before disassembly ! :TU:
According to the chassis manual, the A-body bolts go in from the bottom with the nut on top. The bolts go in from the top on the big cars. I think the bolts are just too long. I don't remember ever replacing the bolts when I still had the car. I assume the both the old ones and the new ones are aftermarket (Moog)? My '72 is at the painters, so I don't have access to it right now. Otherwise I'd go measure mine for you. Here is a pic from the restoration on Ken Lisk's '71 GSX for reference.
. . . you learn something new about these Buicks everyday ! Checked "the book", and Racerx88 is absolutely correct, (. . . good catch !), top down for full size, and bottom up for A bodies. :TU: Shoulda looked there too ! ou:
my 72 gs had the original front suspension in tha car and the link bolts were from top to bottom. it works for me. if u are going to cut the replacement bolt, thread the nut on the bolt before cutting.
One thing you didn't mention is if you had the car jacked up with the weight off the front end when you installed them. Everytime I put new sway bar links in they always seem to be too long and are always too close to the upper ball joint when the car is up in the air. Let the car down and they are fine because they tilt back away from the ball joint. Might be worth a look before you cut them off or change them.
Yes, Bill you are correct fron is up right now. Maybe when I drop it like you say they will move in. I beleive those in there were originals as were silver zinc bushing not gold cad. Also were 7" fine thread. But were installed from the bottom up in my old pixs. The pixs do not show how close ends of bolts were though. I may cut them if they seem close after lowered down. Thanx Dave
i found when i put the new ones in on my '70 that the bolts were seemingly too long also, very little clearance to the upper ball joint i believe, i thought about cutting the bolt as well, which i think would be the best method, just to be safe, but I have left them long with no problem so far.
You are all correct. Assembly manual states the bolts can be put in either way. I usually see original Skylarks with the bolt going in from the bottom. It is alot easier to put in that way. Also the bolts in the kits are always too long. I always need to cut them. Check out www.amkproducts.com. They have the correct length bolt. It says for Chevelle. I just got a set from them.
