Rear Sway Bar

[Mark]

I'm looking for any photos/advice/step by step hold my hand through the rear sway bar set up. I can't recall how they attach to the rear axle. Also locating the sway bars with respect to the nylon bushing. Do I need to use spacers between the bushing and the sway bar? Also has anyone had to tweak the alingment of the aluminium blocks to get the sway bar to rotate freely?

Also I need to relocate the holes in the bottom right suspension link bracket. The holes are drilled too close to the back of the channel and the rod end won't fit.

Any suggestions? I plan to tig bolt stubs into the existing holes and redrill the holes to match the other bracket.

P.S. Hello everyone, its been a while!

This is the first time I've tried to upload pictures. Thanks to teenage sons.

Here is a photo of the gap between the sway bar bushing and the link.

This gap is typical both sides with links flush on the ends of swaybar.

gap between bushing and sway bar link.JPG (39.16 KiB) Viewed 624 times

Photo of left lower suspension link bracket. The rod end fits just fine.

The rod end will fit in easily.

rear lower left link bracket.JPG (50.57 KiB) Viewed 624 times

Photo of right lower suspension link bracket. This is tight on the rod end by just a bit.

Rod end hits back of bracket before holes line up.

rear right lower link bracket.JPG (50.54 KiB) Viewed 624 times

[Chuck]

Mark, glad to see you are working on the car and sorry to see you are having difficluties...It is obvious from your pictures that the rear right lower bracket is not properly drilled...the heim end should sit in there freeley and not bind at all...all of the holes are too close to the bulkhead compared to the other bracket...I just talked to Matt Friday, wish I would have seen your post sooner...I don't want to make any recommendations on how to fix this because I don't know how critical that postiion is..I don't think you want to elongate the hole because that will weaken the bracket even though the frame will keep the link from moving forward...when that bracket was put on someone was in a hurry...Matt can be reached at 586-268-4443. I will try and call him also. I will look for any pics I may have of the rear swaybar links (not sure I have one)...

[Chuck]

Mark, after looking at mine that bracket looks like it was incorrecty drilled..the holes should be well away from the bulkhead...like this:

[Mark]

Chuck,

Thanks for the reply. I've convinced myself that filling the existing holes and redrilling to match the left bracket is my best option.

Your photo is extremely interesting to me for a different reason. The "X-brace through the tunnel. That's much different than I'd planned. I have a single 1"x2" across the anticipated location of the tranny rear mount. To this I was headed to obtain a piece of sheet metal, weld it to the trailing edge of the crossmember mentioned above. It would extend rearward to the end of the tunnel and have a lip broken at the rear accross the back of the tubes. The rear would be bolted to the tubes with two riv-nuts (as per the sway bar links) per side.

The X-brace I see in your photo looks stronger. It looks to be permanantly welded in. Is it? How far up the tunnel does it go?

Your exhaust system plumbing looks great. What diameter are the tubes? Do you like how it works?

I did get a call in to Matt at Passion Motors at the number you mentioned. Missed Matt, but spoke briefly to Herb. They've got lots going on and it sounds like the economy's hit them too.

Hope things are well with you. Really really appreciate the site and opportunity to share this effort.

Best regards,

Mark Deutscher

[Chuck]

Mark, this photo should help you with the tranny support I have...it helps to stiffen the chassis even more...the exhaust (not visible in this picture but very visible in the post above) is 2.5" jet hot coated stainless and has worked flawless for 7 years..the hot coating reduces heat through the tunnel...the headers are hot coated too and that reduces heat under the hood...having the exhaust exit the rear makes driving (especially on long trips) so much more enjoyable...the crossover adds free horsepower by equalizing the banks...since it comes apart it also helps in getting the exhaust sections in and out...

[Mark]

Chuck,

Your picture helps. I like your x-brace under the tunnel. It makes sense. I'll be working this weekend and expect to correct the bottom bracket and at least hang the rear axle. Will take pics along the way. I've been aiming for rear exhaust too.

Mark

[Mark]

I'd meant to ask....

There was a great photo in the gallery that might help me. It was in Mark Dormans set. A rear view of the bare chassis, the ATL fuel cell and wide tires promeninet features of the photo. It's not there any more. Can we get it back?

Thanks,

Mark

[Chuck]

I haven't removed any images so if it was there before and is gone now Dorman must have taken it down...I can't put it back because I don't have it..he put them up himself...you might email him and see if he will send you the pic...be sure and check the other members areas in case you saw the pic there..