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  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » Sway bar installation question???

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    7/08/2013 7:16 PM  #1

    Tmac
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    From: Canton, TX
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 171

    Sway bar installation question???

    Replacing end links and sway bar bushings.

    1. Does the vehicle need to be raised with the weight off of the suspension for installation? Or can I just get under it from the front and remove it?

    2. What kind of grease should I use on the sway bar bushings?

    Just replacing with rubber bushings all around.

    Thanks

    1966 Mustang Fastback K-Code,289,T-5, 9-inch rear with 3.50 gears.
     

    7/08/2013 7:38 PM  #2

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: Sway bar installation question???

    It is easiest to do them with weight on the wheels.  Use NO grease on rubber bushings.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    7/08/2013 7:44 PM  #3

    Tmac
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    From: Canton, TX
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 171

    Re: Sway bar installation question???

    Thanks MS. How do I know when the end links are tight enough? Should the sway bar be compressed between the two bushings on the end link?

    1966 Mustang Fastback K-Code,289,T-5, 9-inch rear with 3.50 gears.
       •Thread Starter
     

    7/08/2013 9:20 PM  #4

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: Sway bar installation question???

    Some end links have a shoulder bolt.  With that type, you just tighten until the nut torques down against ths shoulder.  Most nowadays use a lock nut instead of a shoulder.  With that type, tighten until the rubber washers just start to expand out a bit, then stop.  Yes, the sway bar end will be tightly encapsulated between the two rubber washers, or bushings.  You do not want them compressed a whole lot...just enough for them to start bulging a bit.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    7/09/2013 7:08 AM  #5

    DC
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Marshall, MI
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,235

    Re: Sway bar installation question???

    I always keep five 40 pound bags of softener salt around so I can put them in the drivers seat to settle the car like I was in it. Then I usually end up making custom length end links for the bar so it  "Zero's" out or installs with no initial twist in the sway bar. This way the effect of the bar is balanced both ways. I also put grease fittings on the bushings so I can keep the rubber lubed.

     

    7/09/2013 7:30 AM  #6

    jerseyjoe
    I FYI 24-7

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    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 789

    Re: Sway bar installation question???

    Tmac wrote:

    Replacing end links and sway bar bushings.

    1. Does the vehicle need to be raised with the weight off of the suspension for installation? Or can I just get under it from the front and remove it?

    2. What kind of grease should I use on the sway bar bushings?

    Just replacing with rubber bushings all around.

    Thanks

     
    Personally,I use anti-seize on the swaybar bushings and silicone on the links.....jj

    "Never put a question mark where God put a period "  Richard Petty
     

    7/09/2013 4:18 PM  #7

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,734

    Re: Sway bar installation question???

    Seems like to me that when a rubber bushing gets grease on it, it deteriorates very raidly and turns to mush.  Urethane bushings do need to be lubricated with a special grease made for that purpose, but only the ones on the frame mounts need lube.  They rotate and will squeak like crazy if a urethane bushing ls left dry.

    But... he asked about rubber ones, and you sure do not want to add any grease on a rubber bushing..

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    7/09/2013 4:28 PM  #8

    Tmac
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    From: Canton, TX
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 171

    Re: Sway bar installation question???

    They are the rubber ones. Drove the car today and it drove great. The Flowmaster 40's are so loud, I doubt I would hear any squeaking anyways. Thanks for all the replys.

    Last edited by Tmac (7/09/2013 4:29 PM)

    1966 Mustang Fastback K-Code,289,T-5, 9-inch rear with 3.50 gears.
       •Thread Starter
     

    7/09/2013 4:43 PM  #9

    DC
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Marshall, MI
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,235

    Re: Sway bar installation question???

    Yea, I always use the urethane ones because the old rubber ones crack and fall out on the first track session. I have gone to the thinner urethane with the hardest material I can get and drill the grease hole and pump them full. No squeaks and very little body roll with the 1-3/8 in. bar.

     

    7/09/2013 11:18 PM  #10

    CraigMBA
    FYI FORD Member

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    From: Lemoore CA
    Registered: 4/12/2013
    Posts: 38

    Re: Sway bar installation question???

    I use white Teflon tape w/ poly bushings.  Stays quiet.  Used some washers to shim between the bracket and the frame rail so the bar isn't pinched or bound up.

    with rubber, I'd just install em dry.

     

     

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