Sway Bar won't line up, Whats up???

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by mkingan1212, Mar 31, 2005.

  1. mkingan1212

    mkingan1212 Well-Known Member

    :mad: I swear I am losing my mind over this. I am trying to replace the end links and sway bar bushings on my 1971 Buick convertible. I couldnt get the old end links off so they were cut off. I unbolted the old mounts and took everything to the parts store. I bought 7/8" polyurethane bushings and the same with the end links. I go to mount everything back up and I am WAY-OFF! I triple checked the end-links and bushings with 3-different manufactures and they all say that it is correct. I figured that I might have been not paying attention and flipped the bar the wrong way, but looks like I am right on the mounting direction. Now I did a search on the net for the replacement bar and I am baffled to see that it looks like the replacement bar is basically strait going from each side-to-side. The one I took off has an arc in it from one side to the other (like a rainbow) :Dou: . Could someone have put a different front sway bar on this? > I am lost on why it won't line back up. Also thee end links are so kicked out that there nearly hitting the front drums. Any help would really help. Thanks
     
  2. Madcat455

    Madcat455 Need..more... AMMO!!!

    So, do you have the end links on and are having problems getting the front bushings bolted in??


    maybe a pic of it would help if you can :Do No:

    I seem to rember my sway bar having a small arc to it as well. There is really only one way they go on, other wise the ends would be below the lower control arms (or too clost to them).
     
  3. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    Sway Bar Question

    It sound like you are tring to install it upside down. AL.
     
  4. grisby

    grisby Well-Known Member


    Yep, that can happen, kinda frustrating(dont ask me how I know) :Brow:
     
  5. mkingan1212

    mkingan1212 Well-Known Member

    bushings

    if i bolt the bushings to the frame rails, the endlinks are way off, if i do vie versa, i can't get the bushing holes to line up. i'll get some pics tonight. i tought it was the wrong size bushings or end links but it matches from what the parts storres say. i know it arcs over the tie rods but just seems instead of lining a little off of 90 degrees i am at 45 degrees plus.
     
  6. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    Sway Bar Question

    On installing a sway bar, hange the bar by the two support brackets (don't tighten them yet) then install the links. Do you have the car on the ground or raised up on jack stands? They go on easy if the car is on level ground or using ramps, AL.
     
  7. mkingan1212

    mkingan1212 Well-Known Member

    car on ground..

    car is on level ground, when i do that the end link holes are cocked at a 45 degree angle instead a little off of 90 degrees. like the bar it too far out towards the drums. somethign is wrong, i've done this numerous times and this is the first one that won't line up for me. i need to take some pics.
     
  8. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    One minor issue may be the poly bushings. They are much harder than the OEM rubber and will not give. Note that the stock bar is just under 1". 7/8ths may be too tight? Mine sit just at the bend and I had to pry the mounts maybe a 1/4" to get the holes to line up.
    Yours sound like the bar is too wide??? How did it look before you took it off?

    - Bill
     
  9. mkingan1212

    mkingan1212 Well-Known Member

    possible

    i am thinking your right, there is not give at all. if you take the "measur tape" that wraps around the bar to determine the size, its right on the 7/8" mark but it also shares the line with 15/16". amybe the bushing are two big. when i took it off everything was lined up good and had a little give to it. i think i migt go get a set of stock end links and bushings and see if it makes a difference. i am out of ideas though. i can maybe force it but what bothers me is how close the end links are to the drum. i thought that the endlinks might be too long , there 7-3/4" long and thats what its calling for. it also is really close to the pitman arm
     
  10. oPh

    oPh Well-Known Member

    mkingan,
    Is the Buick convert a Skylark or a B series?
    :3gears:
    Roger
     
  11. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Did you fix this? Just wondered?????

    - Bill
     
  12. 71Stage1Conv4sp

    71Stage1Conv4sp Well-Known Member

    I posted a thread in wrong place yesterday, this is the same issue I am running into. What is the end result?

    Len
     
  13. 71Stage1Conv4sp

    71Stage1Conv4sp Well-Known Member

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