FRONT SWAY BAR

[62impala409]

Just passing along some info. Just got done installing the Addco #706 1" front sway bar on my '62 Impala. Easy job. The kit comes with black poly bushings and all the steel parts parts. I reused all of my original steel parts and only used the poly bushings from the kit. This is a straight up bolt in installation. No mods necessary. Made a BIG difference in handling, especially cornering. I hauled that stock 11/16" bar around way too long. Leo

 

[yellow wagon]

Sway bar? Whats that?

 

[Ronnie Russell]

I'm with you Jason. I always deposit mine in the scrap pile.

 

[62impala409]

What are you guys saying. It was like driving a boat. I got spoiled driving my wife's 65 Skylark which has a GTO frame and suspension under it. BTW, that 11/16" bar IS in the trash can.Leo

 

[64ss409]

What are you guys saying. It was like driving a boat. Leo

I think they are saying you should just drive in a straight line, 1/4 mile at a time.

 

[62impala409]

aaah yes, but that was 40 years ago. We are into cruising and road trips now. I had the Impala all apart in March and April for new paint and carpet. Going to SD in a couple of weeks for the Sizzlin Summer Nights event and to visit with Louie, the original owner of my Impala. Louie is 101 years old and was a co worker back in the '60's. Took me for a ride the same day he bought the new Impala and had me wash it on Saturdays when I was a kid. Leo

 

[Ronnie Russell]

Leo, Great story with great history. I'm sure that trip will be a blast. Ron was right, straight line, turn onto return road, ease back into the pits. No need for sway bar.

 

[Eric Kozmic]

Leo - appreciated reading that story as well.

You "boat" analogy is right on. I find myself needing to really slow down in the corners otherwise "interesting" things start happening (read lane drift!!)

A couple of questions on the sway bar:

1. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being changing the oil "easy" and 10 being engine re-build "hard", where would performing this job rank?
2. After this was done, did you need to re-align the front wheels?
3. Where did you order yours from?

 

[62impala409]

Eric, Easy to remove the old bar and install the new one. I would give it a 3 only because you have to unbolt the idler arm from the frame (2 nuts), leave the bolts in the frame. On the drivers side, you take the nut off the p/s cylinder ram and pull it down several inches for clearance. I used the original 3/8" x 7" bolts on each end with the new poly bushings provided rather than the kit's 5/16" x 6" bolts. I installed the 2 poly bar saddle bushings using my original saddle clamps and bolts (perfect fit). Every thing has good clearance because the bar has a bow under the crank pulleys. I bought the Addco #706 bar from Summit Racing for $150.00 with free shipping and handling, no tax. delivered in 3 days. Well worth the effort and money. BTW, the alignment should not affected. Leo

 

[tripower]

aaah yes, but that was 40 years ago. We are into cruising and road trips now. I had the Impala all apart in March and April for new paint and carpet. Going to SD in a couple of weeks for the Sizzlin Summer Nights event and to visit with Louie, the original owner of my Impala. Louie is 101 years old and was a co worker back in the '60's. Took me for a ride the same day he bought the new Impala and had me wash it on Saturdays when I was a kid. Leo

Great Story Leo... I hope Leo likes how she handles through the corners now and gets to watch you wash the impala...

 

[entourageguy]

what about the rear? it needs some lovin'...

 

[62impala409]

I went on a 650 mile trip several weeks ago and the car stayed level around curves and corners. Stability was vastly improved. Very happy with the upgrade. Well worth the $150. I have no plans on doing the rear suspension, although it would firm up it quite a bit more. Leo

 

[61BUBBLE348]

Leo,

I put front and rear sway bars on my 64 plus new suspension bushes and coil over shocks, car is a load stiffer, rides, steers and handles really well, a good investment.

It really is a pleasure to drive.

 

[Michael Cohen]

Leo,

I put front and rear sway bars on my 64 plus new suspension bushes and coil over shocks, car is a load stiffer, rides, steers and handles really well, a good investment.

It really is a pleasure to drive.

Did you install insulators on the springs?

 

[62impala409]

Back to my new sway bar. It has developed a SERIOUS squawk/creaking condition since I installed the bar and the air temps dropped. I am pretty sure the problem area is the sway bar clamped to the poly bushings at the frame mount. I am thinking of either some kind of lube job or replacing the poly bushings with the rubber bushings. Anyone else run into this with poly bushings? Leo

 

[Michael Cohen]

Back to my new sway bar. It has developed a SERIOUS squawk/creaking condition since I installed the bar and the air temps dropped. I am pretty sure the problem area is the sway bar clamped to the poly bushings at the frame mount. I am thinking of either some kind of lube job or replacing the poly bushings with the rubber bushings. Anyone else run into this with poly bushings? Leo

What are air temps?

 

[Michael Cohen]

Leo,

I put front and rear sway bars on my 64 plus new suspension bushes and coil over shocks, car is a load stiffer, rides, steers and handles really well, a good investment.

It really is a pleasure to drive.

Did you use insulators between arms and springs?

 

[61BUBBLE348]

Did you use insulators between arms and springs?

Hi Leo, no insulators

 

[DonSSDD]

There is a 3M lube for this, for use with poly bushings, I'll see if I can find the number.

Don

 

[models916]

Drill a hole in the bushing and thread a Zerk into the bracket, squeeze away.