I believe another member "Mashori" has a similiar rear anti-sway setup. If memory serves me; he had issues w/ the thin sheetmetal fracturing where the unit is mounted to the framerails. I believe he ended-up welding some extra plates in that area. Found the post! U might want to check some of his post #35. http://www.mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=53320&highlight=rear+sway+bar&page=4
I will post pictures after I reinstall tomorrow. I already purchased stainless steel grade 5 bolts (3/8" fine x 3 1/2") so should be OK..........
I tried installing it upside down as well before I had my orientation correct. It doesnt even fit around the frame rails when flipped over. This bar is screwed up. They will have to fix it.
Mojo, Thanks. That is why I'm two months behind on my tear down. I needed to find out where this bar went so that I could weld in the extra metal. Addco was even supposed to include the plate. I'm going to drive it a bit but not thrash it. I don't want to rip the frame. Once I make sure there are no issues, I can add in the extra metal when the car is apart. Actually, this has put me so far behind, I might have to put the tear down off till next year. Micah
Yeah, make it a posi, throw in a set of Koni shocks, sub-frame connectors and a set of Traction Masters too. I hope i'm not going over board.
Hey Chris: I installed my bar this morning, yeh you where correct, the ends should have been bent downwards! The good thing is they did make changes to the width of the bar so there is more clearance between the bar and frame rail! (see post #201 on page 21) The next thing is I did measurements between the OEM, horizontal and verticle ended bars and will also post pictures. I will pass on these to John too! First picture shows OEM (bottom), verticle ended (middle, 2nd bar) and horizontal ended (top, 1st bar) Second, see how they made changes to width, so there is now 3/4" clearance between the bar/frame rail! Third, center/center of OEM eyes, which is 36 5/8" Forth, heim joint mounted on outside of bar ends, taken into account the 1/2" difference for both sides, the correct "parallel" outside measurement for the bar should be 35 5/8", this will then maintain correct alignment with lower control arm end link hole. Fifth, shows correct angle that the verticle end should have been bent, to match that of the OEM, which is 130 degrees. It is unfortunate that we are having all these issues, but keep in mind that this is a proto-type, custom bar and with it comes manufacturing problems. It is fortunate that John (ADDCO) is continuing to work with us to correct these problems, widen the bar for more clearance, changed the ends to verticle (just forgot to bent for the correct angle, parallel), but they are doing there best and have not dropped us! John even mentioned while talking to Chris about problems they are still having with a Ferrari project since Jan! So its not like our bars are the only ones they are working on! They still have their regular manufacturing that has to be done along with any other custom bars from other customers! Hopefully they will get this all worked out, as the old saying goes, "third time's a charm......"
Well, I installed the rear. I took it out for a test drive. It was short and I did not punish it too much. There were no issues. Previously, when I went into a corner hard, I had to hold on to keep in my seat since the body rolled so much. Now, it is very flat and much quicker to turn. I did not notice any body roll. I’m eager to see what an improvement the front bar will be. Micah[/QUOTE] Hey Micah: Great install! I can see the concern of others who had these rear bars installed worry and have had the end link mounting ripped out of the bottom of the frame rail! Even though they where suppose to supply a reinforce plate, you really need a wrap around "U" shape plate over the frame rail area and weld it in place. I really like my Quickor's mounting (see post #202 page 21) as they go through the side of the rail, just that it is not adjustable. Currently have 5 1/2 leaves with Koni's, but I will probably be removing one leaf as it is way too stiff! Fine on nice smooth road course, but for everyday driving on our lousy roads, bone jarring/brutle Sometimes it is better to have softer suspension and larger sway bars, rather that stiffer suspension, kind of a balancing act for each individual and their driving habits.........
I agree though that it shouldnt be that hard to make a larger diameter adjustable bar. Just use a larger diameter bar in the usual template, make the ends a little longer for the extra holes and make them parallel to each other. Drill holes and DONE![/QUOTE] After having a chance to think things over following installing both the horizontal and verticle ended bars, here are my thoughts. If it was as simple as just making another OEM bar, then fine, but because this is a larger custom adjustable bar many things come into play. Clearance for one, going from OEM 5/8" to 1 1/8" being twice as thick, for example if clearance was 1/2" with the 5/8" bar, that now becomes 3/16" with the 1 1/8" if following the OEM bends. So in order to maintain that 1/2" clearance the bend now has to be changed. The same with adjustable ends, where there is now 3 holes and using the heim joints, the bends here have to be recalculated and changed, this all takes time. Someone mentioned in an earlier post that it would be great if they could do a trial and error fitting, well that is what they are doing right now with us! It is unfortunate that this is not done in house, it is even mentioned in Addco's site, that for a custom order or bar not listed, if someone could leave them their vehicle for a couple of weeks, while they basically do a trial and error fitting! Having worked in the manufacturing/fabricating business, I know problems can occur, I do not know if Addco has Auto CAD programs or scanning equipment similiar to Stainless Steel Brake Corp, where they can trace OEM brake lines directly onto computer and then right into production, these programs are expensive! Even CAD is not foolproof and sometime trial and error is the only way, but again this takes tremendous amount of time. They are a manufacturer and they are not going to drop everything just to work on our bars. Sounds like Addco has at least 2 facilities one in Florida where John is and their main plant in NC? In earlier post in conversation with John he mentioned something about bending bar himself and sending to Chris for trial fit before putting in production? I gather that John has limited production capabilities, more for R&D? Anyways, John (Addco) are doing there best to make it right and I am sure we will get our bars correct, but it will just take time. Remember he even mentioned that they have a Ferrari project that they have been working on since Jan and it is still not finished....... How many of you have tried to install a custom item on your vehicle, you know how long and frustrating this can be! On the bright side, with this 2nd bar, they did make changes such as widening it so there is more clearance between the bar and frame rail, plus they did make the ends verticle, just forgot to get the angle correct.....Cheers!
I just sent an email to John with pictures and measurements from post #262 so hopefully this will help. He is away on vacation this week.
I went ahead and installed the verticle ended bar just to satisfy my own curiousity and here are some pictures........ First and Second, shows the end link seated squarely and snugged down into the lower control arm, notice the space between the bar and heim. The links are actually leaning towards the outside of the vehicle, so not perfectly verticle. When I had my 74 Comet, the front Boss 302 coils where shorten and MOOG lower control arms used, the end links where perfectly verticle with that set up...... Third and Fourth, end link/heim joints attached, the LH side (3rd pic) notice the space between the bushing and control arm and the RH (4th pic) is properly seated. With heim attached, the end links are perfectly verticle. The tubular sleeve should be shorten, then jam nut to hold down the sleeve/bushings and 2nd jam nut against the heim. Depending on whether or not your lower control arms are OEM, aftermarket replacements like MOOG etc., or in Chris's case, custom aftermarket, there maybe slight differences in this mounting hole. Mine has metal grommet/sleeve to align the bushings, on the MOOG, they use 2 thin metal cup washers for the bushings. So your end link may be verticle or leaning towards the outside, like mine.......... I would suggest that John stay with OEM spec's with adjusted measurements that I sent from last set of pictures. Since I gather that most who ordered this bar have basically OEM type lower control arms rather than totally custom.......... The fifth shows the bracket I made for the 1st bar we received, it is basically same as Scott Drake "U" bracket that was talked about 10 pages earlier when we first received it. Even though the heim is facing 90 degrees, because it is a ball pivot, it can rotate 360 degrees, so there is plenty of movement and I have not had any binding issues while driving. Earlier I mentioned that it maybe possible to drill out center hole to 5/8" to use OEM type end link/bushings, can not be done as alignment would be way off, just see the picture. So can either bar be still used? Yes, it is possible but you would have to purchase or make a bracket for the horizontal end and this would be a non adjustable 1 1/8". The verticle end can attach the heim joint to the center hole, I have not tried the outer hole yet, but the inner hole may bind against the bar. Also, shorter 3/8" fine thread bolts and jam nuts would have to be purchased. Something to think about, I made them work, but I will be anxiously waiting for the 3rd and hopefully correct one!
Guy's , thanks for the photos. This makes me ok so far. At least we don't have to pay for their mistakes. It's just the time we are losing enjoying our rides. Thank's for all the info.
So I tried out the bar this weekend and can report that I have extreme front grip. Works great. Now if only I can get the adjustable bar finalized, I can do soem fine tuning.
looking good Chris! Have you heard any news from John regarding him bending new bar for you to test before putting back into production for the rest of us?? I left a message for him just before he went on 1 week holiday, but have not heard back...........
