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.

*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.

**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.

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.

**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 · 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: 22,066	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	#10
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.

06-03-2009, 04:52 PM	#12
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	#13
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	#14
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, 05:12 PM	#16
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

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.



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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?

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