sway bar bushes

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Aug 18, 04 7:18 pm

Anyone got any tips for fitting polygraphite sway bar bushes? I've managed to squeeze one in less than halfway and the rest is getting chewed up the more I try. The otherside goes in halfway and pops straight back out as soon as I release the grips. I just cant see how they are going to go in. I've thought about cutting them but even then I may not get them in and maybe they could come out when driving.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Aug 19, 04 10:37 am

err. Not sure how you are doing this?

Take the half round brackets off the chassis. Remove the bar. Fit the bushes to the bar. Hold it up and clamp the brackets over them. I can't see why you need to 'squeeze' anything??

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Thu Aug 19, 04 4:03 pm

The brackets that the bush fits into is one piece,with a small amout of lube and some grips, they will fit. awkward little buggers.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Aug 19, 04 4:14 pm

Really?

The three times I have done this job the metal outer part was in two bits. The 'back' of the bush just being a flat metal plate.
Plus you used to get the metal brackets with the bushes.

Bummer.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 20, 04 8:06 pm

yeah they are one piece Dave. They are an absolute nightmare. I've given up for the moment and moved onto something else before I get really angry and start throwing things around the garage such as that damn sway bar. Atleast Derek says it can be done, that gives me some hope although I am considering buying an after market sway bar which would improve the handling.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 20, 04 9:14 pm

Now this'll make you laugh: what the ? is a sway bar and what does it do

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 20, 04 9:44 pm

No doubt you've heard of an anti-roll bar Markie thats what we call them in the UK. It's the same thing but the americans call them sway bars??? Helps to reduce body roll. Here's a pic of mine. Fits under the car at front of K-frame.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Aug 21, 04 8:34 am

Ah! Now I know what you mean

I think I got one of them on mine...(runs outside)... nope I havent!

I was thinking of my little ford escort, easy to get confused there...

Theyre a real nightmare to fit on normal cars let alone these big monsters. I had the change the clutch in my escort last year and i had to drop the roll bar, -sorry, sway bar! and it was a nightmare to re-align so i could bolt it back up, best way i found was raising the car up in the air level and taking the weight complately off the front but keeping it level

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Sat Aug 21, 04 10:21 am

Markie, I doubt if Dave would have had one as they affect the car's weight transfer when launching at the Strip.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Aug 21, 04 5:18 pm

Your right -its missing! oh my gawd! someone call the police!

So tell me then what are the advantages / disadvantages -weight transfer? does that mean its stops the front lifting up so far? I thought they were added to help cornering?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Aug 21, 04 6:36 pm

It makes a big difference Kev! Seriously though....Markie your Charger left the factory with a non-sway bar/non disc brake/non almost everything really package. The front LCAs don't have the necessary lugs to connect the sway bar link rods to. You could possibly weld something up though

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Aug 21, 04 7:34 pm

Talking of which, if I fit an aftermarket sway bar do i need to drill/weld the lower TCA on my (non swaybar option) Dart?

ps Poly bushes on my 3 litre Capri took me approx 6 hrs - complete swine

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Aug 22, 04 11:22 am

Thanks, Steve, one more to save up for!