front sway bar bushing help

996ttderm · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:10 am Post subject: front sway bar bushing help

My mechanic tells me that it does not matter what size sway bar bushing is installed on the front because whatever size he installs just gets clamped down on the bar anyway. The car (1980 elco) is at his shop now to have basically the entire suspension replaced and upgraded. I bought most of the parts online and the car is with him just for the labor. Everything is reasonably high end stuff and all bushings are polyurethane, probably spent around $1700 for the parts, so I expect an excellent job with the install. Is he correct, is any size sway bar bushing on the front just as good as any other? He tells me that the OEM sway bar that is on the front is 3/4"...is this correct, or did the 1980 elco (this partiular car is a royal knight so I suppose this means the car had the ss package?) have multiple diameter sway bars available one the front which would mean I would need to measure it to know? Finally, any brand of polyurethane bushings better or are they all the same? Thanks.

Low75 · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject:

That doesn't sound right at all, you definitely want the right size bushings, that's why they make them in different sizes to fit your bar. I don't know much about 5th gens but I know the stock front sway bar on my '75 is 7/8" if that helps you any. You should probably just get out the calipers and take a measurement to be sure.

Any of the polyurethane bushings are good. If you're looking for the absolute best though, the graphite-impregnated ones add a lubrication property to the bushing. I use the black Energy Suspension ones myself.
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1975 El Camino
http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_album358.html

toms84ss · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:39 pm Post subject:

You need to get the right size bushings for your sway bar. It does make a difference. Not to be a wise rear end but what did you buy for $1700.00?? Sounds a bit steep to me.

CANTED · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject: bushing size

I will agree with your guy to a small extent. If you had a bushing that had a slightly too small bar diameter, it is possible that it could be clamped into place. A bushing with a slightly too large bar diameter would fit but not support the bar properly. The big question is why use the wrong bushing? Is a 3/4 bar standard? I'm not sure about a fifth gen, the third gen came with a 15/16 bar. This would seem to be a good time to upgrade to a larger bar.
_________________
Jim
70 ElCamino 461 solid M20 331eaton
http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_album346.html

996ttderm · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

scr-w it. You are right. I just bought new sway bar. Came with new poly bushings and new bolts. $200 for new 1&5/16" chrome moly bar, powder coated red versus old POS. thanks for advice.