So is the Front bar adjustable with Heim end links as per our order? Mine is scheduled to arrive in WA next Wed......
Thanks for posting the pictures, but there just seems to be something wrong with how the end links attach to the end of the bar, if you look at Chris's earlier #23 posting, you can see in the picture showing just the end links, how they are suppose to attach to the bar ends. There just seems to be something missing, like the "U" shaped bracket. Otherwise, are there any other instruction/diagrams showing end link installation? Should be bolt, cup washer, bushing, cup washer then pass through lower control arm, followed by cup washer, bushing, cup washer, then steel sleeve to heim joint, but how does heim joint attach to bar ends? From the pictures, looks like the bar ends are flat, where they should be verticle so the heim joint can bolt up??? Are there anymore parts?
Yep.....That looks like a standard issue sway bar with a coupla heim joints thrown in for some reason Maybe you're supposed to take a torch to the ends of the bar and twist them 90 degrees
Hmmm. it does appear they forgot something. Either they intended to have the bar end vertical and that is where the heim joints go or they forgot the U shaped bracket for the lower mount point. It should be too hard to make the U bracket but its worth asking iif that was their intention though. To be honest, I would have preferred the vertical ends on the sway bar. Im not even sure its going to clear my shocks at this point. but we'll see. I see a pair of these in my future http://www.ridetech.com/store/12-mm-straight.html
I guess I will wait until my bar arrives and see what parts are there, worst case, I can fabricate a set of "U" Brackets like those pictured in Chris' #23 posting. If you go back to #23 and take a look at the adjustable end links, you will see 2 sets of holes, they are there to postion the inner and outer holes of the sway bar end links, to maintain "verticle" alignment of end links. In the picture, the bolts are lined up for use in the centre hole of the sway bar end links, to use the inner or outer holes, one would have to move the lower bolt/heim over to the offset 2nd hole. This will then line up with either inner or outer hole on the sway bar end link, to maintain perfect verticle alignment. Depending on which inner or outer hole you are using, the u-bolt can be rotated 180 degrees. As per Addco's tech info, end links must be as close to verticle for proper function, if leaning too far either way can lead to bushing wearing out quickly and just not working as efficiently. Even if the sway bar end links where to be verticle, somesort of offset bracket would still have to be made to perfect align the end link to all 3 adjustments, as the centre maybe lined up, but using the inner (1st hole) and outer (3rd hole) would make the end link not perfectly verticle, thus causing bushings to wear more quickly........ If I have to fabricate a couple of "U' brackets, will use Stainless Steel bar stock or will machine out of solid piece of aluminum, nice thing having a small machine shop in the basement! I will wait until mine arrives to see the set and if need be, contact Addco's tech department to see what they had in mind or if one of you who already got theirs would like to call first and find out?
Here is quote from Addco's FAQ regarding end links. 3. Do my endlinks need to be vertical? They should be as near vertical as possible. A small angle is okay but this should not exceed 20 degrees. Chris: if the bars end link where verticle, it would probably clear your custom front suspension and heim joint would bolt right up. Also, using either of the 3 holes probably would not exceed Addco's recommended 20 degree allowance. when I had to modify 67 shelby front sway bar end links to fit my 74 Comet, I did cut the ends and had new ends welded on, so it would be possible to cut and weld the ends on yours to fit and then use existing heim end links on your current set up. Make sure that you align as closely as possible Addco's end link holes with that on your lower control arms (flat bar stock with 3 adjustable holes). anyone who can weld properly will not harm the heat treating on the bar as it should be quick and you can always place cold wet towel on the bar it self close to the end to help dissipate the heat. again I would contact Addco to be on the safe side before doing anything to prevent voiding any warranty etc......good luck!
here is link to picture of those adjustable "U" bracket end links from Scott Drake........... http://www.drakeautomotivegroup.com/Store/Product/C5ZZ-5A486-ADJ.aspx?wid=141
That seems to be it. There seems there should be something else or the bar ends should be twisted 90 degrees if they intended us to use the heim joints. Here's the list of special hardware: 2 - 3/8" Heim joints 2 - 3/8"x6" bolts 2 - 2.5" spacers 4 - bushings 4 - washers 4 - locknuts 2 - 3/8" jam nuts 4 - small heim spacers 2 - 3/8"x2" bolts At the very least they should have put a diagram or photo of the installed bar.
I got mine's Friday. I have not had time to get under the car yet. I was hoping this was going to be a bolt on deal. But maybe not with these replies. I would think they would have came with directions also.
got mine today and i'm in no big hurry to open the box either. especially after seeing others pic's and seeing that it'll need to be mod'd like everything else will end up on my car. for the time and expense incurred.. I can't say that I'm overly impressed with the follow through from Addco on these bars.
I didn't order one; I have the factory upgraded front bar, but I have an Addco rear bar and I'm not impressed with any of the mounting brackets they provide (I made my own and welded them to the frame, as well as used exhaust clamps for the axle mounts) and it was about an inch too narrow so I had to bolt up one side and then pull very hard on the other side to make it bolt to the bracket. 'Not trying to derail this thread, but judging by their standard production products, I am not surprised that you guys are not happy with what you got.
