I ordered the front 1 1/4" and rear 1" kit from OPG, while the rear was a direct bolt in the front does not want to fit right. it looks like im going to have to drill new mounting holes because of the bends in the bar, the bracket to the frame is put in a serious bind using the stock holes. I dont mind drilling and taping new holes, but wonder if anyone else run into this problem with anything bigger than a 7/8 stocker? I do not seem to have interference problems like the idler arm,etc that some have mentioned.thanks

I bought the Hotchkis front sway bar kit and had no problems. You should not have to move the mounts. I know this sounds stupid but it kind of looks like it is being installed upside down if it is anything like the Hotchkis.

Michael,
Measure from your radiator support bushing (on the frame) to the other radiator support bushing. And if you can measure from the bushing to the center of the car. Report back what you find.


Sounds like you might (worst case scenario) have a slight tweak in the frame.

Joe

Originally posted by GreenMachine:
I bought the Hotchkis front sway bar kit and had no problems. You should not have to move the mounts. I know this sounds stupid but it kind of looks like it is being installed upside down if it is anything like the Hotchkis. I did try it both ways just in case. its seems the bar just doesnt have the right bends in it. instead of being almost perfectly 90 dgrees to the the frame at the bushing mounts like the original its angles slightly which puts the bushings in a serious bind.

Originally posted by 72SSAbody:
Michael,
Measure from your radiator support bushing (on the frame) to the other radiator support bushing. And if you can measure from the bushing to the center of the car. Report back what you find.


Sounds like you might (worst case scenario) have a slight tweak in the frame.


Joe nope frames not tweaked, I've taken measurments right after I bought the car. purchased back in november 02. and I started taking it apart. like I said before it just looks like the quality of the bar as far as the proper bends go it just doesnt really match the original one.If no one else has had the same problem with OPG's 1 1/4 I may send it back and get something else. damn shipping cost will kill me though. :mad: sometimes I just get sick of some of the aftermarket junk I buy. I really think these things are built and never tested on a real car. graemlins/angry.gif

Local yard, 1 1/4 bar from a TA, 24 or so bucks out the door and bolts up MINT. Sand, paint, install....GRAAAAAVY graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I'm with Beaux on this one. I paid $13 for a 1.25" sway from a '78 Trans Am. Works great!

Dang Chad, I had to pay $16 for mine and thought I had the best deal!! Oh well, the bushings were another $20 or so and then some paint and time, but overall a very nice deal that bolted right up! PS. I got mine off a '79 TA!

Bill C.

I got a 1.25" Z28/TA bar from the salvage yard, The new poly bushings cost more than the bar.
Bob J.

I got mine from ebay for 50 plus shipping. the new poly endlinks and bushings cost over 1/2 as much. :D The thing is freaking HUGE vs. the 7/8" / 1" that I had on the front.

Same here.

1 1/4"" Z28/TA bar from the salvage yard. The new Poly bushings and end links came in the PST front/rear kits we purchased.

We had the front and rear bars beadblasted and black powdercoated when they did the frame and suspension parts (Everything).

Hope this helps.
graemlins/thumbsup.gif graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I did the same thing - on Wednesday I ordered the 1 1/4 front and 1" rear bar for my 69. When I get it I will be able to tell you if I have the same problem. I better not! I'm not getting soaked for shipping costs when the product is a POS and doesn't fit. We will see...

Same here guys 1-1/4 inch bar from a t/a 30 bucks local salvage yard. Bolted up easy with new bushings and mounts. :D

hummm the bar should bolt right up... have you ever heard the saying NEW don't mean good ?? sounds like the bars bent wrong ... & why is everyone running 1 1/4 bars on front & 1"rear ?? everyone got BB W/ac ?? sway bars are ment to help the overall control of car.. NOT be the controling factor ...If you think I'm crazy try reading WWW.globalwest.net (http://WWW.globalwest.net) :D

I've got the OPG 1-1/4" bar on the velle. I had no clearance problems after I got the car back on the ground. Are you rebuilding your suspension. Oh, I don't think it makes any difference, but I have 2" drop spindles.

Good Luck, and you'll like the bigger bar.
Brandon

Michael-

Just got done putting my OPG 1 1/4" on the front of my 69 - everything lined up perfectly. Either your frame is tweaked or they sent you the wrong bar. Before installation, I put the new one up to the original 7/8" and the bends were identical.

Good luck. :cool:

Haven't put the rear on yet, need to get the control arm box inserts welded first.

be carefull drilling and taping new holes. there is not much metal there and with a thicker bar, there is great potential of pulling the bolts right out of the frame.

Originally posted by 70mousejob:
I've got the OPG 1-1/4" bar on the velle. I had no clearance problems after I got the car back on the ground.Same here, and I suspect that what you're seeing is caused by the front wheels hanging in mid-air. When you lower the car (which you will do prior to final torquing), it should level out and look better. Of course, it's possible they sent you the wrong bar.

Reid

Originally posted by Rabbit:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by 70mousejob:
I've got the OPG 1-1/4" bar on the velle. I had no clearance problems after I got the car back on the ground.Same here, and I suspect that what you're seeing is caused by the front wheels hanging in mid-air. When you lower the car (which you will do prior to final torquing), it should level out and look better. Of course, it's possible they sent you the wrong bar.

Reid </font>[/QUOTE]Good point; I installed mine with the car on the ground, and like I said, everything fit perfect.

What years of T/A will the bars interchange from?
And, will a similar year Z28 work also?

thanx
Dwayne

Originally posted by New68SS:
What years of T/A will the bars interchange from?
And, will a similar year Z28 work also?

thanx
Dwayne Dwayne,
Second generation F-body sway bar will fit ('70-'81). Trans Am WS6 sway bars are 1.25" and Z28 sway bars are 1.125".

Good luck with your sway bar hunt!

Joe

I USED THE SAME BAR FROM OPG AND HAD NO FIT PROBLEMS ON MY BB 71 ROB...