the rear maybe OK, depending on what hardware you have, you should contact John and/or send pictures to see if rear set up is OK and if it is, then instructions......... are you able to post pictures? Just out of curiousity, I would like to see the rear set up, perhaps other members who did not order one and are following this thread would be interested too
I picked up my Front Bar this morning and just finished checking its specs against my OEM. All the dimensions seems fine, bends all correct etc., the center hole in Addco's flat end link seems to be the one that matches up with OEM. As we all know now, the end links where suppose to be verticle, which Addco is now taking care of this for us, so upon further checking, once our new bars are received, the heim joints where made to mount on the outside of the bar end links to maintain correct alignment. The additional picture they sent in the envelope is how they where suppose to be secured to "vertical" end links. I may also contact John to make sure that they send correct 3/8" x 6 fine thread bolts to mate onto the heim joint. Depending on whether or not your vehicle is stock or has been lowered, shorter bolts maybe required to maintain "parallel" geometry between lower control arm/sway bar end link. I noticed that the hardware kit also contained set of standard end links with 5/16" bolts/cup washers........ Over the weekend I may fabricate set of adapter brackets out of angle iron so the heim joints can be mounted (have to find new bolts or modify ones with kit for fine thread) just to see how the bar performs........
I was going to install the rear this weekend. Before doing so, I sent John a picture of the rear bar and asked if there were any issues with it. He emailed back that the rears were supposed to have vertical ends too and told me not to install it.
would it be possible for you to post some pictures of the rear bar, I would like to see what it looks like and of the mounting hardware for it........ was curious to see if they made any improvements to how they mounted it to the frame rails, thanks!
they made not changes to the frame mount system. im disappointed with that part also but sense all their kits come with that type of a mount i dont think they will change it. ill just weld up my own stronger mount with corresponding hole spacing with the sway bar.
Attached is a photo of the bar. I did not open up the hardware package. When these were being designed, I discussed this issue with John. I knew that they already had a stiffener after a previous discussion with another tech. I got John to include this with our kit. I just confirmed it is in the kit. It is 4 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 1/8 with corresponding holes for the U bolt. To get any benefit from it, it must be welded to the frame. I will probably put an additional larger thinner skin over the area before I weld their bracket in order to further disperse the load. Micah
Thanks for the picture, as for the additional plate, idealy it would be great if it could be placed on the inside of the frame........U-bolt, plate, bottom of frame then bracket on the outside, then everything is sandwich. I know there is the access hole in the frame where you can get to the front leaf spring eye bolt, but I do not know if it is large enough to feed the plate through and then back towards the location where U bolt is located. One would have to drill the holes first, then feed solid copper wire (can use 12 gauge house wire and strip off insulation, 2 to 3 feet would be enough) until it reaches the access hole. From there, string can be tied to copper wire and pulled back through U-bolt hole, plate can then be tied to string and pulled along frame until it reaches the U-bolt hole, should be lined up pretty close so U-bolt can be passed through as per Addco's instructions. Now you have reinforce plate on inside of frame rail to prevent ripping out bottom of frame, as it now spreads the load..........
i had a 69 mustang that i had put a rear sway bar on that did put a plate in to the frame rail in a similar method you described. it still ripped out the frame rail eventually. i believe the load the sway bar puts on the frame needs to be spread on the vertical surfaces of the frame. this is also the problem that the first batch of sway bars has. with the ends being horizontal the flat section will be very weak at the point where its flattened and eventually bend if not brake. simply by rotating the ends to vertical they become very strong.
I forgot I had an old email from Addco with the drawings for the plate. I agree with spreading the load. As I said, I might skin the area for strength or will discard their plate and make a U shaped bracket out of 1/8 steel that wraps around the rail to spread the load beyond their little bracket. I have a lot of work to do in this area of the frame. With sub-frame connectors and Traction Master bars to put in, I have a lot of welding and reinforcing to do already. The sway bar reinforcement may just get integrated into all the other assemblies.
too bad about Addco's system for mounting rear bar, kind of glad that I went with the Quickor system (post #179) 25 years ago, I doubt if their mounting system using "L" bracket on the side of the frame can be adapted to the Addco's bar......... Regarding the flatten end links, I do not think one would have to worry about bending/breaking, bar is one piece unit with the ends "forged" along with being over 1/4" thick! If you look at OEM and even Addco's 7/8" to 1 1/4" bars for Mustangs etc., all the end links are horizontal, not to mention how thin they are, never heard of any problems! All this does not matter, since the design was suppose to be verticle, interesting just to see how the adjustable end links are to be installed....... I actually located Stainless Steel 3/8" UNF (24) x 6" bolts to mate up with heim joints, they are rated ASTM 593C which is similiar to the grade 5 rated bolts that came with our hardware kit, great thing with SS, never rust!!! Cost $3.30 cdn. each and are available in shorter lengths for those who may have to customize to fit their particular set up. Will try to install this weekend just to make sure fitment is OK, even though I checked with OEM bar out of car, only way is with it in the car to be sure! Hope you all enjoy your Memorial Day Longweekend
If you want to part ways with the incorrect rear sway bar I might be interested in for expirimentation purposes.
Well, lets wait until everything is resolved with Addco first. They might change their mind and want them back.
