Sway bar touching airbags -- help! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Irishpilot · 06-02-2009, 05:13 PM

I just installed a front sway bar from Early Classic and when installed, the ends are up against the airbags. I double-checked the brackets and it looks like everything is in order. Anyone else had this problem and if so, how did you fix it?

On a side note, I took it around the block and the difference in handling is pretty pronounced.

**lolife99** · 06-02-2009, 05:24 PM

Got any pics of the suspension? That might help.

*Shane* · 06-02-2009, 06:58 PM

Gonna subscribe to this thread as I have the same problem with stock A arms / bags with a stock sway bar ... I didn't fool with it long enough to find a solution, i just took the sway bar back off.

SCOTI · 06-02-2009, 07:58 PM

Can you cut the ends of the bar shorter? Seems like I remember the ends of my 73-up HD swap bar was a little past the bushing shells on the a-arms. Maybe you could trim them enough that it wouldn't interfere.

ERASER5 · 06-02-2009, 09:53 PM

Maybe it was Frizzle, I'm not sure, but someone cut about 3/4" off each side of the sway bar due to touching the air bags. As you go lower, the bar is scooted back closer to the A-arms. Just cut the bar.

Frizzle Fry · 06-03-2009, 12:47 AM

Yep, good memory! I took about 1-1/8" off the ends and then bevelled the edges:

bw4sale · 06-03-2009, 10:52 AM

5150 had the same problem and it blew one of his bags. I think he just cut some off of the bar as well.

Irishpilot · 06-03-2009, 10:55 AM

Yeah, I think it is either trim the bar ends or move the brackets, so I think trimming will be easier.

I will post pics as soon as I can find my cable for the camera.

protrash64 · 06-03-2009, 01:47 PM

I know CPP has issues

.....but their sway bar uses endlinks and you dont have this problem. Just an FYI.

**lolife99** · 06-03-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by protrash64

I know CPP has issues

.....but their sway bar uses endlinks and you dont have this problem. Just an FYI.

Addco sway bars have end links also. I think Nathan Porter can get you a deal on sway bars also.

*Shane* · 06-03-2009, 02:17 PM

you guys have perked my interest again but i'm gonna need some more parts ... anyone got a set of STOCK frame brackets they want to part with?

pm with a price.

**michael bustamante** · 07-13-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane

you guys have perked my interest again but i'm gonna need some more parts ... anyone got a set of STOCK frame brackets they want to part with?

pm with a price.

pm

Hottrucks · 07-13-2009, 05:12 PM

I took the front sway bar bracket and moved it forward by makind the hanger look like a J the front bolt goes in the face of the hanger and the rear bolt got a new hole..I will say I had to trim the rubber on the A arm so I could clear it with the lower Arm to the X memeber

Irishpilot · 06-03-2009, 04:52 PM

Well, I just trimmed the bar ends 1 1/8" and that was the perfect length! The truck handles completely different and the bar is flush with the A-arm mounts. I documented trimming the bar, and will post pics later tonight.

ERASER5 · 06-03-2009, 10:08 PM

Glad we could help.

dznucks · 07-13-2009, 06:48 AM

Does anyone have pics of a cut sway bat installed?

i am wandering if the cut end of the sway bar digs into the bushing/bracket.

Irishpilot · 07-13-2009, 11:35 PM

Follow the thread and you will end up with a bar like this:

This is with the suspension unloaded. With it loaded, the bar is flush with the bracket. Perfect length!

dznucks · 07-14-2009, 07:05 AM

what type of sway bar do you have, irish?

i am running an ECE and my situation doesn't look like that. my bar is angled downward more, so the end would dig into the rubber bushing on the a-arm if i cut it back. once i get my bags on and sit lower it may line up straighter like yours.

Hottrucks · 07-14-2009, 03:36 PM

if your running cupped lowers that won't work look where the X memeber is is it goes to complete slam it will rest on the hanger and rubber mount........

Irishpilot · 07-14-2009, 06:27 PM

I'm also running the ECE bar. The bar is at a larger angle when the truck is on jacks. take it off, and the bar will level out. That was the after pic. Before I trimmed the bar, it was pushing into the bags. Is that what yours is doing?

06-02-2009, 05:13 PM	#1
Irishpilot Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kunsan AB, South Korea Posts: 187	Sway bar touching airbags -- help! I just installed a front sway bar from Early Classic and when installed, the ends are up against the airbags. I double-checked the brackets and it looks like everything is in order. Anyone else had this problem and if so, how did you fix it? On a side note, I took it around the block and the difference in handling is pretty pronounced. __________________ 1971 C-10, 406ci, restoration begun! 406ci sb; zero decked, bored .030, edelbrock aluminum e-tec heads, edelbrock performer RPM intake, comp 268 cam, comp 1.6 pro-magnum roller rockers, MSD street fire HEI, MSD 8.5mm wires, Holley Street demon 770, Hedman LT headers. 10.6:1 compression, Air Ride Tech bags on all 4-corners.

06-02-2009, 05:24 PM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! Got any pics of the suspension? That might help. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

06-02-2009, 06:58 PM	#3
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! Gonna subscribe to this thread as I have the same problem with stock A arms / bags with a stock sway bar ... I didn't fool with it long enough to find a solution, i just took the sway bar back off.

06-02-2009, 07:58 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,068	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! Can you cut the ends of the bar shorter? Seems like I remember the ends of my 73-up HD swap bar was a little past the bushing shells on the a-arms. Maybe you could trim them enough that it wouldn't interfere. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

06-02-2009, 09:53 PM	#5
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! Maybe it was Frizzle, I'm not sure, but someone cut about 3/4" off each side of the sway bar due to touching the air bags. As you go lower, the bar is scooted back closer to the A-arms. Just cut the bar. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

06-03-2009, 12:47 AM	#6
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! Yep, good memory! I took about 1-1/8" off the ends and then bevelled the edges:

06-03-2009, 10:52 AM	#7
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! 5150 had the same problem and it blew one of his bags. I think he just cut some off of the bar as well. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

06-03-2009, 10:55 AM	#8
Irishpilot Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kunsan AB, South Korea Posts: 187	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! Yeah, I think it is either trim the bar ends or move the brackets, so I think trimming will be easier. I will post pics as soon as I can find my cable for the camera.

06-03-2009, 01:47 PM	#9
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! I know CPP has issues.....but their sway bar uses endlinks and you dont have this problem. Just an FYI. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

06-03-2009, 02:17 PM	#11
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! you guys have perked my interest again but i'm gonna need some more parts ... anyone got a set of STOCK frame brackets they want to part with? pm with a price.

07-13-2009, 05:12 PM	#13
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! I took the front sway bar bracket and moved it forward by makind the hanger look like a J the front bolt goes in the face of the hanger and the rear bolt got a new hole..I will say I had to trim the rubber on the A arm so I could clear it with the lower Arm to the X memeber

06-03-2009, 04:52 PM	#14
Irishpilot Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kunsan AB, South Korea Posts: 187	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! Well, I just trimmed the bar ends 1 1/8" and that was the perfect length! The truck handles completely different and the bar is flush with the A-arm mounts. I documented trimming the bar, and will post pics later tonight.

06-03-2009, 10:08 PM	#15
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! Glad we could help. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

07-13-2009, 06:48 AM	#16
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! Does anyone have pics of a cut sway bat installed? i am wandering if the cut end of the sway bar digs into the bushing/bracket.

07-13-2009, 11:35 PM	#17
Irishpilot Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kunsan AB, South Korea Posts: 187	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! Follow the thread and you will end up with a bar like this: This is with the suspension unloaded. With it loaded, the bar is flush with the bracket. Perfect length! __________________ 1971 C-10, 406ci, restoration begun! 406ci sb; zero decked, bored .030, edelbrock aluminum e-tec heads, edelbrock performer RPM intake, comp 268 cam, comp 1.6 pro-magnum roller rockers, MSD street fire HEI, MSD 8.5mm wires, Holley Street demon 770, Hedman LT headers. 10.6:1 compression, Air Ride Tech bags on all 4-corners.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

07-14-2009, 07:05 AM	#18
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! what type of sway bar do you have, irish? i am running an ECE and my situation doesn't look like that. my bar is angled downward more, so the end would dig into the rubber bushing on the a-arm if i cut it back. once i get my bags on and sit lower it may line up straighter like yours.

07-14-2009, 03:36 PM	#19
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! if your running cupped lowers that won't work look where the X memeber is is it goes to complete slam it will rest on the hanger and rubber mount........

07-14-2009, 06:27 PM	#20
Irishpilot Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kunsan AB, South Korea Posts: 187	Re: Sway bar touching airbags -- help! I'm also running the ECE bar. The bar is at a larger angle when the truck is on jacks. take it off, and the bar will level out. That was the after pic. Before I trimmed the bar, it was pushing into the bags. Is that what yours is doing?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.