About to add a rear sway bar to my 69 Skylark. It's the type that bolts on the lower contol arms. Two questions: I know I'll need to shim the gap between the bar and the control arms. Can I be use washers or should I fabricate some shims? And should I box the arms? The car is a cruiser, not a racer. I just want to upgrade the handling from appalling to merely bad ray: Thanks in advance. Hopefully the'll be a day when I'll be able to answer questions not just ask 'em.
If you are going to use a sway bar, the lower control arms should be boxed. I believe "Racebuicks" on here sells the shims as well as other places.
Ditto that! It won't take long for your lower control arms to start looking like a Pringle if they're not boxed.
While I agree they should be boxed, I ran unboxed ones for 30 years and I cornered like a mad man, wore out front tires before rears and never had a problem with my lowers. I slotted an upper from all the hard launches but that's another issue. If it is just a cruiser, you won't have to do it but if you get the opportunity cheap, jump on it.
Just go buy a piece of black iron pipe and cut it nice and square on the ends so that if fits up inside your control arms. That will prevent them from collapsing, however boxing them would be best.
Be aware that you don't have to buy boxed arms....you can but the "boxing" straps for very cheap $$ (maybe $25 -35 for the pair of straps) and weld them on yourself if you have a welder, access to one or a buddy with one. The weld-on straps are cut just like the originals so the result is a very convincing replica of the factory originals. Install new bushings while your at it, clean, paint, etc if you want to. With a bit of time and some flat sheet steel of suitable guage you could probably make your own straps as well for even less $$.
Thanks to all who replied. In my OP I forgot to mention that I had made spacers to go inside the control armS. I ended up making alloy shims. Hardly billet but they do the trick. And a huge improvement in handling. Still no road racer but much better. Now to adapt the Koni rear shocks from my late HQ Holden to the Buick. Cheers, Chris
Spacers should work but boxing in the open channel along the bottom of the arm will reduce flexing in the arm that may still exist with just spacers inserted where the sway bar mounting bolts go through. The spacers prevent crushing of the arms while the boxing or straps prevent twisting along the length of the arms.
Spacer/insert, Yes, it is absolutely better. * Allows a little flexability (better than a full length weld with heavy steel). * Braces the arm when sway bar is tightened against the spacer. Here they are..... http://compare.ebay.com/like/370573923605?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y & http://www.chevelle.com//1964-72-Rear-Control-Arm-Inserts-P3856.aspx And don't leave home without these....... http://www.shop.speedunlimited.com/...-control-arm-braces-68-72-chevelle-monte.aspx Why? Read this.... http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=73629&highlight=braces
Will the braces work on the wagons? would sleeving the bolts then putting a plate along the whole bottom be adventagious? Speed unlimited needs to learn it is a Gran sport not GranD. LOL Tim
In the OP I see no mention of what size sway bar is already on the front and of what size will be used on the rear. After going thru all the steps of boxing the control arms, adding the sleeves, replacing the bushings, adding the braces and being prepared to shim the bar to make sure it doesn't move from side to side, I think it's time do consider how the handling will change with am this work. I would suggest all the suspension work in itself will will make for a dramatic change in how the car will feel in all three axis. The size of the existing front bar will help determine what a reasonable size rear car could be.
