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A forum for the owners and enthusiasts of General Motors B-Bodies from 1977-1990, but dedicated to the owners of 1977-1979 Impalas and Caprices. Join up now!


5 posters

    Rear Sway Bar Installation

    oldsbuickhybrid
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    Rear Sway Bar Installation Empty Rear Sway Bar Installation

    Post  oldsbuickhybrid Thu Nov 05, 2015 1:05 am

    I was thinking of getting a rear sway bar from the local junkyard. The owner was going to sell the sway bar, along with all mounting hardware. After speaking with him today though, he said he was not going to be able to get the parts, so now, I am looking online since b bodies are pretty hard to find down here. Upon looking for sway bars online, I noticed that there is no hardware provided. How are rear sway bars installed? What additional parts and hardware are required? Bushings? Endlinks?
    Myloth
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    Post  Myloth Thu Nov 05, 2015 10:52 am

    It runs under the rearend and connects to the lower control arms on the bottom that hold the rearend(axle) in place along with uppers.
    Sweet Seventy9
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    Post  Sweet Seventy9 Thu Nov 05, 2015 8:33 pm

    The GM rear lower control arm kits from GMPD have all the necessary hardware to mount a sway bar.  
    They don't just bolt on, there's plates that the bolts go through that you'll need to use.

    Edit - Here's the front bar you'll want - http://www.ebay.com/itm/270870346977
    It's the Z28/WS6 F-body front bar. Most aftermarket front bars for B and F bodies are based on it.
    oldsbuickhybrid
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    Post  oldsbuickhybrid Fri Nov 06, 2015 4:31 am

    Myloth wrote:It runs under the rearend and connects to the lower control arms on the bottom that hold the rearend(axle) in place along with uppers.

    Ah I see. I thought I was going to have to drill holes to the body Laughing I thought I remembered seeing an old episode of Horsepower TV where they had to drill holes on the body to install a rear sway bar. Maybe I remembered wrong, or maybe there are cars where that is required. Either or, I am glad I don't have to do it.

    Sweet Seventy9 wrote:The GM rear lower control arm kits from GMPD have all the necessary hardware to mount a sway bar.  
    They don't just bolt on, there's plates that the bolts go through that you'll need to use.

    Edit - Here's the front bar you'll want - http://www.ebay.com/itm/270870346977
    It's the Z28/WS6 F-body front bar.  Most aftermarket front bars for B and F bodies are based on it.

    This is some great info! I had no idea that the f body sway bar fit b bodies. Thanks for the link, Also, I had not noticed that the hardware was provided in the arm kit.

    I found a used Impala SS rear sway bar on ebay, but it came with no hardware. Now that I know the hardware is in the arm kit, I will get it. and apply a coat of paint to it.

    For the front bar, I will definitely get the f body bar. At 1 1/4, this seems to be a great bar for the money. I may have to wait a couple of weeks though to save up some money lol
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    Post  Myloth Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:54 am

    Rear Sway Bar Installation Th_20141105_153225

    Rear Sway Bar Installation Th_DSC01426

    Rear Sway Bar Installation Th_DSC01425

    Here are pics of the rear sway bar and the Camaro 1.25" Front Sway Bar installed on my 79'
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    Post  oldsbuickhybrid Sat Nov 07, 2015 5:34 am

    I just saw your Photobucket pics. I absolutely love your car's setup. That front sway bar looks huge. After seeing it, I will definitely have to get it ASAP. Thanks for sharing.
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    Rear Sway Bar Installation Empty 88 wagon rear sway bar

    Post  TMCKERROW Wed Sep 28, 2016 9:48 am

    Anyone have any idea how to mount a rear sway bar to an 88 wagon? The width is 4" wider than the sedan or coupe, so I'm kind of stuck. I think I saw somewhere where a person was able to fit a 77 sway bar on the rear, but anyone else know of this?
    Myloth
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    Post  Myloth Wed Sep 28, 2016 8:06 pm

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    Post  TMCKERROW Wed Sep 28, 2016 8:34 pm

    I'm looking for a way to get a rear sway bar on an 88 wagon. And, Id like to try and keep it GM. I plan on using an Fcar WS6 front sway bar though. Any 77-96 rear sway bar is going to be too narrow as far as Ive found. Except, maybe, a truck rear end....thoughts?
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    Post  Myloth Thu Sep 29, 2016 7:50 am

    The only place you'll find a GM sway bar is from another wagon, And GM did not use very many on wagons and when

    they did they too small anyway. A that 881 Addco(That one is made for wagons) bar will tighten that wagon rearend up like you won't believe but

    there is nothing from the factory that will do half as good they just did not make them.
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    Post  TMCKERROW Thu Sep 29, 2016 8:23 am

    Are you sure you gave me the right link? That one says its for the front end.
    oldsbuickhybrid
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    Post  oldsbuickhybrid Fri Nov 04, 2016 1:23 am

    Bringing back this thread from the dead, but my project has resumed, and I am finally considering going through with the sway bars. Above I saw the recommendation for the front sway bar. Which vehicles could I get a rear sway bar from? Thank you
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    Post  terry cronk Sun Nov 06, 2016 8:03 am

    I have one of the F-Body bars on order.

    Their back logged until they can get more.

    That's for the FRONT bar.
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    Post  Myloth Tue Nov 08, 2016 2:08 pm

    As far as the rear bar you are better off getting an aftermarket piece like this.

    http://www.streettrendsinc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BBODY&Product_Code=75515&Category_Code=BOX_SUSPENSION

    The factory rears aren't very good compared to these. They are thinner and barely adequate my frontend is super

    tight with the 2nd gen F body front bar but the back is like the Hotchkis bar in appearance but smaller and it feels

    weak for it.
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    Post  terry cronk Tue Nov 08, 2016 3:29 pm

    The rear bar I have was off a 1992 Buick Roadmaster and its solid.

    It came with the 8.5 rearend I purchased to rebuild and install.

    It had 3.08 posi. gears.  I changed it to 3.73 and bought the upper and newer Lower control arms w/accessories for the bar.

    The housing has installed 2 poly bushing in the ears.

    Having it installed made all the difference on the rear stiffness of the suspension.

    As soon as the new front F-Body bar comes in it will be installed.

    Its not going to be a corner cutter, but just feel more controlled when driving.  Cool
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    Post  Myloth Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:55 pm

    I have a solid factory bar in the rear as well. I think it's 7/8 or 1" but I can to me front has way less

    roll than the back . I also have poly everything and Southside Upper and Lower links to my rear-end.

    Ever since I installed the 1.25 front I can turn on the dime but it always feels the rear is dragging a bit behind.
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    Post  terry cronk Wed Nov 09, 2016 5:43 pm

    My car coming from the stock condition is a much better ride. And will be better when the F-Body bar is in.

    I'm not 25 anymore that I have to broad slide around corners. Its just a cruiser!

    And the wear on the parts are not cheap anymore.
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    Post  Myloth Thu Nov 10, 2016 8:20 pm

    I hear that and I don't mean to say I am looking a NASCAR style ride on the rear. I just find the rear feels loose

    in comparison to the front. My front end has a really nice ride, stiff in corners and takes a 5mph speed bump at 10

    with aplomb. Maybe I need to change my rear shocks . My fronts are Gabriel HDs the rear are supposedly 9C1

    equivalent from Monroe. But my experience with other Monroes has told me Monroe is mediocre maybe I'll try

    different shocks before the rear bar swap. (lot less $$ anyway)

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