Thread: Front sway bar ?

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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...

Originally Posted by topless

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?

Originally Posted by lt1s10

why do you think you need a front sway bar? how heavy is your car?

Thanks for the response, simply put, the the car sways in windy conditions, on curves and it weighs about 3700 lbs.
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

Originally Posted by cffisher

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.

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.

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.

charley thats the problem, the cant get it to flow. if it don't work this time, i don't know what they gonna do.

Originally Posted by topless

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...

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.

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!!!!

Originally Posted by lt1s10

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.

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.

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

Originally Posted by mizlplix

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?

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.