I didn't think this would be a big deal, but it's turned out that way.

I bought a 1 1/8" front sway bar off of Ebay that was advertised as being pulled from a 1980 Z28. I received the bar, and tho it was a bit dirty, I inspected it and came to the conclusion that there was nothing wrong with it.

I have a PST Polygraphite sway bar/end link bushing kit that came with my Super Front End setup from several months back. The frame bushings fit the sway bar perfectly.

However, when I've attempted to bolt everything up, I can't get the passenger side front frame bracket bolt to line up. The rear bolt will go. The driver's side will go. I've loosened everything up, but for some reason it still won't line up.

I've tried it with the end links uninstalled, installed, the car not jacked up, the car jacked up, etc. etc.

I've taken numerous deep breaths, but it's still a no go. I've tried to slide the sway bar up towards the front of the car, towards the rear, from side to side (of which I can only go so far before the frame bushing hits a bend and starts to spread apart), etc. etc.

Anyone else have this problem. I mean I KNOW this bar should work. It looks like I need about a half inch to make it work. I've oriented the bushings with the slit facing the car per my Haynes manual and PST instructions.

This is my first swaybar install and I can't see it being this complicated. Is there a trick that I need to know? Is it better with the car on jackstands or on the ground....

:mad: :confused: graemlins/sad.gif

So you can get three of the four bolts in OK?

Sounds like maybe it was off a car that had been wrecked in front.

maybe you can drill and tap new holes in the frame??

I think I would look for another sway bar.

Try using pliers to squeeze the frame bracket together. They are "difficult" sometimes.

great deals to be had, money to be made, I just can't see turning loose of money on something that you cannot see touch and feel. Ebay is great for Ebay.

I don't THINK the sway bar is bent. I'm just wondering if I'm not doing something right.

Do you guys hook up the frame brackets and then the endlinks? Or vice versa? With the car in the air or on the ground?

I still feel like I'm doing something wrong. As I said, it's my first front sway bar install. It shouldn't be hard, but maybe I don't know the trick or I'm holding my mouth wrong.

Man, I hope this bar isn't bent. graemlins/sad.gif

I always do the enlinks first then the frame mounts. As mentioned above the frame clamps can get bent and may need some tweeking to get the holes lined up.

Always easier to do a sway bar with the car on level ground.

Justin,
I am probably going to show my ignorance about suspension interchanges but ... is the sway bar off a 1980 Z-28 supposed to fit on a Chevelle ?????
Well sort of answered my own question ... went ot addco's site and they do show the 80 camaro and the early Chevelle as using the same part number. But I still have to wonder if the oem ones are the same ?

Didn't have your problem, but this was mine... Late Model 1-1/8" bar (http://www.chevelles.com/forum/ultimatebb.php/topic/7/8635.html#000000)

Well, guys...it's on. graemlins/angry.gif

I'm going to have to be careful and take it on a test drive ASAP to see if it will work, tho.

I don't know if it's just a case of tolerance stack or what. I noticed one of the PST bushings looked like it was a little thicker on one of the lips where the frame bracket rests against it. I can't really explain it any better. That might've pushed the bracket a little out of whack and into a bind. I guess in hindsight, I could've shaved the bushing back a little to allow the bracket some breathing room.

Also, I was using some hardware from the "magic bolt box" for my frame bolts. I felt like the heads on them were a bit small, so I was using some washers. Well, the washers weren't allowing the bolts to take full advantage of the adjustment that the PST frame brackets allow. So, I swapped to some smaller diameter washers. Maybe a little bit there.

My dad bought the '70 brand new, so I'm pretty doggone sure that my frame isn't bent. HOWEVER, I did notice that one of my old, original, crusty frame brackets was a bit bent. Hmmmm. Could it be possible that the one of the holes in the frame was drilled on the edge of it's tolerance? Those original frame brackets don't really have any adjustment, so maybe they just buzzed the factory bolt in, thereby slightly bending the bracket.

Anyway, I'm not really sure what's going on. The bushings don't completely close up like they should. One is like 3/16" from it and the other is a smidge more than that. If the car drives and steers fine...would it be safe? If it ends up being ok....I'm going to buy a brand new bar, someday down the line, and see if the situation changes. If I drive it and it acts funny, I guess I'll be pulling it off.

One last idea. Could bad body bushings cause the frame to flex or something that might get things a bit out of alignment? I've never really looked at mine.

bump

Comments anyone? Has anyone else had any problems with a 70-81 F-body 1 1/8" front sway bar mounting up?

Click the link on my previous reply... this makes one I know of that works.

Not exactly the same..

I put a Trans Am 1 1/4" bar in mine no problems, makes a heck of a difference in the handling.

For those who don't know sway bars for 70-81 Camaros/Firebirds are the same as 64-72 Chevelles, look for a Z/28 (1 1/8") or a Trans Am (1 1/4").

Brent

I've got one on my car. 2nd gen 1 1/8 bar.

I had problems with it hitting my tie-rod, (lowered suspension) so I drilled new holes and ran self-tappers in to move the sway bar forward as far as I could go.

Derek, how does it handle now?