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I have a '48 Buick that I bought with the GM front clip already installed, my question,.. how can I tell what sway bar to get for it? The thing looks like it might be a Camaro or mid-size GM with the steering gear ahead of the main crossmember. Any ideas? Thanks...
why do you think you need a front sway bar? how heavy is your car?Quote:
Originally Posted by topless
Thanks for the response, simply put, the the car sways in windy conditions, on curves and it weighs about 3700 lbs.Quote:
Originally Posted by lt1s10
I have a feeling a sway bar will help control the car in hiway speed driving and on curvy roads.
nice looking ride. i don't doubt a sway bar wouldn't help, but you need to be sure your springs are heavy enough, and you shocks are in good shape.
Hay MIKE hows it going??Charlie
about the same, had my arm cut on again fri. trying to get a hook up in my arm for the dialyses. this is the 3rd time and it haven't taken yet. hope this is the last time.Quote:
Originally Posted by cffisher
I remember my dad had a problem with those. He'd have my kids put there hands on it so they could feel it "viberate" he used to tell them he had a motor in there.
topless, sorry about hi jacking your post, but i'll try to help if i can.Quote:
Originally Posted by cffisher
charley thats the problem, the cant get it to flow.:CRY: if it don't work this time, i don't know what they gonna do. :HMMM:
Hmmmm...I was just thinkin' about how I would figure this out. Maybe if you could remove the front wheel and take some pics, then post them on this and other forums, maybe someone will recognize what it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by topless
Great looking Buick!!! Post us a pic or two of the front suspension, someone will pick out what it is. If the springs and shocks are good, then a sway bar will certainly help. On a lot of these front suspension clip deals, the sway bar ended up being left off the front end. Sometimes because the front was narrowed, and sometimes just because somebody decided to leave it off!!!!
Thanks for the reply, the springs seem to be OK, I have replaced all the bushings.. shocks.. the car rides really good... just thought maybe a sway bar will help in the corners and in windy conditions.. the wind here in New Mexico can be extreme.Quote:
Originally Posted by lt1s10
A sway bar could make a big differeance I have had cars and trucks the just wouldn't handle at speed with out one.
Most late model cars were designed with sway bars and will not operate normally sans one.
The wheel rate always stays the same, meaning (stiff springs or middle rate springs + a sway bar) If you have a stub that has the bar removed, the wheel rate is too soft for decent road sway control.
Measure: 1. distance between the mounts on the frame.
2. The distance between the link holes on the a-arms.
3. distance between the centerline of the frame mounts and
the a-arm link holes.
This should allow you to measure junkyard bars.
Yes, a bar will make worlds of difference. Just dont go too big or you will have to install a rear bar to maintain car balance while cornering. MIZ
Thanks for the repy, your suggestions make sense...just how big is too big?Quote:
Originally Posted by mizlplix
you have made up your mind about a sway bar topless, so i guess it no need to tell you this, but if you have weak springs under your car then a sway bar is not the answer. you need to pull a spring, have it tested and if its to weak for your wt. then you'd better off spending the money on HD springs. if the springs is right then you don't need a sway bar for normal driving. sway are made to work a hi speeds. you can fix it with a sway bar, but far as i'm concerned it not the right way. :cool:
I am sure the springs are OK, I am having the problem at high speed... 60 + MPH in windy conditions and on curves at high speed.Quote:
Originally Posted by lt1s10
i agree you need a away bar if the problem is above 60 mph. i thought i had a formula the tell you what away bar you would need, but can't seem to put my hands on it. i'll keep looking and good luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by topless
if you can't find one at the junk yard then you might call a hot rod shop and they can get you anythimg you want.
Too big on a front bar will make the car push (go straight when u want it to turn). Usually, a certain car had a 6 cly. engine and small bar, a small block v-8 and a middle sized bar and a big block with a large bar.
Try to get the one that best matches your combo. (A good starting place as any) I always prefered a LARGE front bar with a small rear bar to balance it out, but it is extra work over the correct front alone.
Car balance can be determined by driving up to 30 MPH or so in a vacant area, then turning sharply to observe the handling.
1. Car turns sharply, but front rolls a lot= needs a larger front bar.
2. Car tires screech, body rolls some and car goes kinda straight turning a little = too big a front bar. change to smaller or mount a small rear bar .
3. Car turns ok, body sways a little, but better overall than no bar = perfect.
These are generalizations.
The wheel rate is determined by road conditions. Flat surfaces prefer soft springs and stiff bars. Banked surfaces like stiff springs and light bars. But the wheel rate totals stay the same.
Well I found a 1" sway bar from a Metric GM front end that is just what my car needed.
The car handles much better with this sway bar, now I am considering the installation of a rear sway bar.
Thanks for all the input guys.....Karl aka "Topless"
Good to hear it worked out for you. Not too many situations that somebody on CHR hasn't allready found themselves in and can help with some suggestions. Must be why so many of us hang out here!!!!!