I am really puzzled with this.
I installed a 1 1/4" sway bar that I purchased from PST. The bolt as it extrudes over the last bushing on top or the bar is sitting too high, so that the nut that holds the ball joint in the upper arm is touching the bushing on the last link of the end link.

On the passenger side it is fine, there is plenty of room.

I noticed that there are 2 extra shims on the rear of the upper control arm on the driver side (total of 5 vs 3 on the passenger side.) Could that be the problem?
Or what else could it be? Should I just put a different bar in and try (Hotchkis?) or go with a smaller bar (" vs 1 1/4")

Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thanks

is the frame straight? It's hard to picture your issue, but I know I have a 1" sway bar and there was no problem with clearance on either side (coulda went larger too) Make sure your springs are set correctly and that the end links are where they should be. then check the swaybar bushings and mounts everything OK there? if not time to look at the A-Arms and make sure they aren't off?? Hope this helps! Have any pictures?

I'm not sure about the sway bar you're using but I used one from a 70's era Trans Am that is 1.25" and it fits with no problems. You should be able to get one of those a whole lot cheaper than the one you have. Sorry I can offer any more help.
Bill

Trying to figure out how to post a picture.
Any help?
THanks

Ok, I think I have it figured out.
Try this link, I posted a picture there.

www.geocities.com/yziomas/68chevelle.html (http://www.geocities.com/yziomas/68chevelle.html)

Please keep in mind that I do not have an engine/tranny in the car and the car is on stands, maybe that is what causing the problem (I hope!)

Is the suspension actually sitting on that tire? maybe it's forcing the lower A-arm upwards? causing the bushings to touch? Once it it lowered and actually sitting on the ground with a tire on it might not be an issue? just a thought? if you have the ability and a digital cam.. can you post a pic from the front and top of the area? this way we can see if something is out of whack! So taking a pic from the front of the car could show the entire sway bar and end links and the top would show the clearance from each end link to spindle nut.. might help to see an overall view..

Just looked a little closer.. the bottom bushing on the end link looks to be lower (or off) than the sway bar by at least a half inch or so. I would suspect if you can tighten down that nut to get the swaybar sandwiched between the bushings your problem might disappear! thats about 1/2 inch more clearance up top..

[This message has been edited by normie (edited 05-30-2001).]

Thanks normie.
I will take some more pics tonight. You might be right in the fact that the nut needs to just be tighten down, I will give it a shot. It still is much different than the passenger side though. I will take some pics of that as well.
The car is on jack stands now and it is not sitting on that tire. I should probably tighten the sway bar down, put the tires on the car and get it on the ground to see what it does.
Thanks for your help.

Looking at the picture. As stated Tighten down on the nut. Another thought, If your using after market sway bar. what about the bushings. mostly the front. The poly Energy suspension 1 1/4 have a gold plated U bracket
and have slots where they get fastened to the frame. MAYBE ??? you can get some space in the area ? GL

------------------
Wayne
ACES 1556
TCG 186
So many Mustangs
So Little Time

thanks Wayne.
This bar has U brackets as well and I think that I have gone as far as I can go in the slots.

I will double check tonight, maybe this is my problem, or maybe I can enlarge the slots by 1/4" or so to bring the bar away from the spindle nut. This might help with my other problem which is the bar touching the iddler arm on the other side of the car. I have used PSTs front end kit, and their iddler arm is beefier than stock, so I think that is the reason of this problem.
Thanks again, I appreciate it.

don't forget things look different and can and will move under load. being jacked up and no motor or trans could also be your issue http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif