OK all, finally got the 70 Malibu together, aligned to "street performance" specs (0.5 neg. camber, 5-5.5 pos. caster). For those who have converted to stage 2+, both tall BJs are used; the lower is longer perhaps a half inch shank than stock, which raises the spindle CL relative to the lowercontrol arm. Leaving for the PowerTour 09 in two weeks, so got to get her done.

In summary, I've installed a Hellwig 1.125 front bar, SPC front springs (550 #/in) without any spacers, GC Saginaw quicker ratio (but dimensionally exactly as the stocker I'm told). I aligned her with the FASTRAX system (thanks Mark!) which works slick. So I ended up with the 0.5 camber pretty much spot on, approx. 5.25 both sides positive caster (per eyeball the spirit level). Had to burn midnight oil to get her aligned so I could drive to the exhaust shop (open headers) to get the headpipes bent/installed yesterday....wow the Flowmaster American Thunder setup sounds sweet:thumbsup:

Steering wheel/system: I started with the factory steering wheel set dead level at center, then tweaked my toe both sides to get her tracking on the highway with wheel level (now damn close, needs 1/4 turn more tie rod adjust). The steering shaft is NOT indexable.....BTDT as I had the entire thing out to convert to the GC steering gear. Shaft is indexed both ends to the ragjoint & steer wheel shafts. I do notice that there seems to be a little assymetry in the lock to lock travel, but only maybe 15 degrees or so differnce from L to R ends. Steering arms/spindles are stock genie GM parts. No frame damage....car is a 49K mile cream puff so front frame is perfect (as per GM).

Last....pass. side tie rod has maybe 3/8 (10mm) clearance to the HELLWIG bar, but driver side is rubbing! WTF?

Sure, I know I can grind the tie rod end (also stocker GM) but why should I have to? Thinking about the 5 degree positive caster setting, I realize that this rolls the steering arm UP which could be exacerbating this issue....but I've got the same on both sides. Has anyone run into this problem? I know everything is installed correct....HELLWIG bar, St.2 plus, steering arms, etc. Perhaps I'll snap a pic for this thread and attach..... Also LCA are stock GM with new rubber bushings installed (maybe Delalums in the future).

OK wizards, did I overlook something? Reduce the caster back to 4.5 degrees? Speak up & thanks in advance.

BTW....drove her about 150 miles yesterday, and WOW what a difference :D

Duane

could you get 1/2" longer spacer sleeves for the stabilizer bar end links? I've got a 2nd gen Camaro bar on my 70 Chevelle and had to do that.

Yep, I ended up buying 1" longer end link bolts (8" I believe) and cut an inch off some old sleeves to add on and the interference was fixed.

Roger that guys. My epiphany last night was that I had to JACK the top end of the bar down into position to makeup the bolts thru the LCA. Used my BJ separator tool from SC&C and literally pushed the end link stud down thru the LCA just to makeup the bolts. I really doubt this is how the HELLWIG folks intended the connection to be.

I will remove the links today and compare to the OEM GM bar to make sure it is not deformed.

Infact, Mark from SC&C sold me the Camaro bar, as he said they "work better" on lowered cars. Perhaps they do, except for this detail. My car is quite low in thefront, dropped around 1.8 inches from stock with the new springs.

I will advise results!

The last section of the sway at the end link should be level. You achieve this with the correct spacer length already mentioned.

The last section of the sway at the end link should be level. You achieve this with the correct spacer length already mentioned.

I presume you mean level at ride height? My parts list from HELLWIG shows a 7/16 x 6 inch end link came with my 5703 bar (actually 1 5/16 per their site, not 1 1/8 as Mark stated).

I'm proceeding on the assumption that minimal preload should be achieved at ride height.....so I'll free the bar and see how long an end link is required to connect it to the LCA.

I also know Mark stated that adjustable ends can be used to "tune" the handling with sway bars. Hellwig offers optional adjustable end links.

Will advise my findings.

From dims taken on the car sitting on stands "at ride height" it appears the 7 inch long end link will work. Removed my HELLWIG bar and took some dims on flat counter top to ascertain what is out of kilter....it seems the bar is somewhat asymmetric local to the mounting area. The long straight section between frame rails is uniform and tips measure the same distance from flat reference when you hold it parallel to that straight run; however they are bent with an offset right where frame connections attach. I'm going to end up with a combo of (1) shims under the attachment points (frame) and (2) installing the longer end link bolts (7 inch) with SAE washers to makeup the required lengths so the sway bar is NOT preloaded while she sits at ride height.

Here's a pic of what it should look like. This is my 68 which has been lowered 2" and has 3.5 deg of caster.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL280/10740363/22085996/365412434.jpg

The kit should have 7" long bolts and a 3.25" long spacer. The instruction sheet probably has a typo as the 6" long bolt has not been used for years. We make 3 different diameter sway bars for the A-Body but the instruction sheet is the same as the only difference is the diameter of the bar and frame bushings. You should have a 1-1/8" dia bar if that is what Mark sold you even though the instructions reference 5703. Give me a call at 559-734-7451 x36 if you continue to have issues with our sway bar.

Hey Dave,

Don't know if you are the same guy I spoke to via phone when my bar arrived hanging out the end of the box. I'm very pleased with the HELLWIG kit, bar quality, etc. However the actual bolts shipped are truly 6 inchs hex caps 7/16-20x6 (I measured them). Today I had my son run to the local Fastenal and purchased the 7 inch long Gr. 8 fasteners. I can't swear on the 3.25 spacer but from eyeball memory it sounds about right. Mark's sales invoice says the bar is a 1 1/8 size, but your site says only 1 5/16 or 1 1/4 are available IIRC. I didn't measure the actual bar but can do so to confirm....5703 is actually what I was sold and as labeled when the box arrived. If you like I can ship the 6 inch HCS back to you for proof. I will install the 7 inchers tomorrow evening and if issues continue I will advise you.

While I've got your attention, will you guys start making an adjustable rear bar for the A body? I'm a bit leery of the 1 inch bar in the rear of my car, as many here recommended the old F41 bar because the rears of these cars don't really require 1 inch. However I trusted Mark's experience and purchased that size.

Duane

Oh and one more thing....as stated earlier I am sitting at 5.25 degrees POS. caster right now according to my calibrated eyeball and the FASTRAX unit. I know that the positive caster rotates the spindle aft toward the cabin, which exacerbates (reduces) the clearance issue between the tie rods and the bar.

We make the 5709 in 1-1/8" dia for Marc at SC&C. His suspension does not require as much sway bar as a factory setup. Our records show that a 1-1/8" bar was drop shipped to you. I sent you a PM about the end link issues.

We have a lot of new products coming soon including an adjustable rear bar that is in the works.