Sway bar issues

[ADub64]

I am trying to finish up rebuilding the front suspension on the car. Used new stock style parts with a 1" sway bar and 620 springs. I went to install the sway bar (springs are not installed) and the sway bar hits the frame during travel. I cannot figure out why. I bought the kit from Laurel mountain mustang and their tech sppt had no suggestions other than to check the p/ns and make sure I received the appropriate part. The only thing that looks possible to me is that the end link are too tall, but I don't have the originals to compare to. Has anyone else had this issue?

AW

 

[red65]

Just had the same issue this weekend when I put two passengers in the car with me for the first time since its 'rebirth.' The front suspension compressed enough that the sway bar was able to contact the outsides of the frame rails. It made a load squeaking sound - while not particularly damaging, it was embarassing as all get-out since I was at the Woodward Dream Cruise! :damnit:

Anyway, I solved the problem on Sunday by shortening the links that attach to the lower control arms. I removed about 1/4" from the spacers on both sides (the steel tubes that space the upper link bushings from the lower ones), and ground a modest amount more clearance in the notch on the frame rail. This lowered the sway bar just a bit and left some space between it at the frame rail. Between shortening the end links and the clearance grinding, it doesn't appear possible now for the sway bar to contact the frame. It took all of an hour and shouldn't have any negative effects on handling, durability etc...

 

[ADub64]

I purposely wanted to install the entire suspension before I installed the springs so I could easily check for binding. I had approximately 4" of upward travel left when the sway bar contacted. Not sure 1/4" would work in my case. Maybe more like an inch? Can end link height affect the sway bars performance?

 

[19stang66]

You both should post some pictures as I just installed a 1" aftermarket sway bar from American Pony. But i havent had my car on the ground yet so Im not sure if it hits the frame. If it does it sounds like an easy fix.

 

[ADub64]

Good idea, I will take some pics next time I am under the car

 

[spirockp]

Yes, please do. I just ordered that over the weekend.

 

[red65]

Not sure 1/4" would work in my case. Maybe more like an inch? Can end link height affect the sway bars performance?

The spacer tubes on mine were only about 1.5" to start with (1-1/8" bar from NPD - don't know the manufacturer off hand), so I'd be a little wary of shortening them an inch. Because of the motion ratio (suspension to sway bar) you'll get more benefit than you might initially estimate from a short reduction on the sway bar link - i.e. you don't need to shorten it an inch to pick up an inch of clearance... Easier to make small cuts than to add back on!

 

[race-rodz]

i have/had 620 springs w/ 1 coil whacked, shelby uca mod, 1" swaybar from mustangs plus. i shortened the endlinks about 1/2" never had any problems with clearance even with car load of people and "spirited" driving.

 

[ADub64]

Got out and played with it some last night. Ground down about half of the lip on the frame and cut about 1/2" off the spacer, but it was too late to go get new bolts. Is it ok to ground the lip flush to the frame or should I leave some meat there?

 

[ADub64]

So did the 64 1/2s have a different front subrame? I looked at 19Stang66's pics in his disc brake thread and the lip along his frame rail is like 1/3 of the size of mine. The 64 1/2 has a much wider lip and a notch cut in it for the sway bar. This seems to be my problem. Wish I would have taken pics last night.

AW

 

[race-rodz]

mine is a 64 1/2... didnt enlarge the "notch" at all

 

[ADub64]

No idea, I opened the notch up by about an inch and a half, cut 1/2 inch of the sleeve. It fits now, Im done with it