Sway bar end links
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1977-1979 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1977-1979 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=3473
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 5:40PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Sway bar end links
Posted By: Turbo301
Subject: Sway bar end links
Date Posted: 25-April-2010 at 1:16AM
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Okay, so my master cylinder install went well, and clean fluid is now flowin' through the lines! Unfortunately, I still haven't had the chance to see if my brakes work because I'm installing new front swaybar bushings and have had major difficulty finding the ones that mount to the frame. Canadian Tire says they're discontinued; NAPA only has "universal" ones that have to be cut open for the 1 1/8 sway bar, and that's just ghetto. I finally have a set from Car Quest coming in that sound like they'll be correct. And yes, I can find them on-line, but the shipping is nuts for $4 parts.
Anyway, while my car is still up in the air, I have a question about the end links: I have my new end links loosely installed, but since they are on the lower A-arms that will move up and down with the springs, at what wheel position should they be tightened up, or does it matter? The car is jacked on the frame, so the A-arms are in "full sag" position, and the end links really don't seem to want to fit very well (close, but not perfect). Should I jack the arms to a more normal ride height condition before tightening the end links?
------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Replies:
Posted By: 302ford
Date Posted: 25-April-2010 at 4:24PM
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Whenever doing your suspension components, they should be tightned in the "Loaded" ride hight position ------------- 79 LTD II 408/TKO/3.7's 11.78 117.3mph. drag radials |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 25-April-2010 at 4:52PM
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Can I suggest just upgrading to polyurethane at this time? Cost is roughly the same vs OEM rubber. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 29-April-2010 at 11:56AM
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Okay, my new bushings came in, and they're much nicer: a stiffer material and nicer moulding and, most importantly, a larger hole for my sway bar! However, I'm still concerned that the hole is too small: the bushing will fit around the bar, but not fully; there's still a 0.5"-0.75" gap between the "C" parts of each bushing. Is that normal? Will that compress down when I put the bracket around it and tighten it down to the frame, or will trying to do that just damage my bracket?
------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 30-April-2010 at 3:07AM
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What bushing did you order, (Part#) out of curiousity. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 30-April-2010 at 3:12AM
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I'm not sure, I don't have it on me now. It is a Moog part, and its shape looks identical to what's left of the old ones (the old ones are pretty deformed, but I can make out similar features).
I tried installing them last night, and lifted the car off its jackstands under the force I was applying to try and compress the bushing against the frame/sway bar! I can't believe that it is supposed to be that tough? ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 30-April-2010 at 3:14AM
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There are three different sized bushings for the three different sway bars.
------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 30-April-2010 at 3:16AM
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I ordered the largest one they had, 1 1/8". How undersize is the hole supposed to be on a new bushing, if at all? ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 30-April-2010 at 3:24AM
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Looks like Moog shows 4 universal bushings. Make sure you ordered the K80094 bushing. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 30-April-2010 at 3:52AM
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Alright, I'll check that when I get home, thanks! If it is the right part, can I cut it down a bit to fit, or is it supposed to be that tough to install to hold the bar steady? ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 30-April-2010 at 5:10AM
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If the metal bracket seats against the frame, You should be fine.
------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 30-April-2010 at 5:23AM
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Yeah, it's nowhere close, even after 2 tons' worth of compressing force. I might have to play barber and take a little off the top :D ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 30-April-2010 at 10:14AM
My bushing P/N is K5253. They look a lot like the AC Delco 45G0503, which again look like they're too small of hole and too thick in overall height. ------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Psquare75 wrote:Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 30-April-2010 at 8:57PM
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Wow. I just looked those up on Rockauto.com. That appears WAY too tall. Rockauto doesn't list that bushing for our cars at all.... In short, wrong one. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Turbo301
Date Posted: 01-May-2010 at 12:28AM
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The Delco ones are the same height (roughly), and they're shown for the Cougars...
Anyhow, after 2 sets of bushings being wrong, I went ahead and made the Moog units fit. I ground out the bore with my Dremel, took only a little off the top as well, and then compressed them under bolt force. They'll be plenty rigid now LOL!
------------- 1977 Cougar XR7 1980 turbo Trans Am 2009 Pontiac G8 GT |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 01-May-2010 at 11:49AM
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I have energy suspensions and they fit like they belong. As long as you're set now. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |