Bontrager Works 22mm rear sway bar kit - Page 19

svxfiles · #**271** 10-17-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxcess

Got a reply from LarryIII this afternoon. His reply:

The length of the outside of the bar end flats is 47 inches exactly, on my bar.

It looks like this dimension can vary slightly based on the angle of the bends in the bar.

That's a big difference!

.

I just checked the bar on my Pearlie and it is exactly 48" as measured from the outside flat to the other outside flat.

The center of the bolt hole to the center of the wide bar is 8.5".

LarryIII · #**272** 10-17-2011, 02:40 PM

Will someone please tell me what the heck is going on here? I don't want to wade through 4 pages of posts.

1986nate · #**273** 10-17-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryIII

Will someone please tell me what the heck is going on here? I don't want to wade through 4 pages of posts.

ZOMG BRAKE FAILURE!!!

But seriously, there is a potential "fitment issue" I suppose you could call it, with a specific "experimental" end link that can cause it to hit the brake caliper banjo bolt causing the driver to lose brake pressure.

Hocrest · #**274** 10-17-2011, 02:46 PM

I just measured the one in my basement that I bought 2nd hand from another member but haven't installed yet, it's 47 3/8".

icingdeath88 · #**275** 10-17-2011, 02:46 PM

^ Summary: The endlinks that Nevin included with the bar are mighty and bulletproof, but have the compromise of a clickety or rattly noise in at least some cases. They also need some maintenance (grease every so often) otherwise they'll have issues with grit/sand/dust/etc in the joint. The Last few pages have been people trying to come up with alternate solutions. One alternative was used and seemed to work well, but was found to possibly interfere with the banjo bolt on the brake caliper, potentially a very big deal.

1986nate · #**276** 10-17-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

^ Summary: The endlinks that Nevin included with the bar are mighty and bulletproof, but have the compromise of a clickety or rattly noise in at least some cases. They also need some maintenance (grease every so often) otherwise they'll have issues with grit/sand/dust/etc in the joint. The Last few pages have been people trying to come up with alternate solutions. One alternative was used and seemed to work well, but was found to possibly interfere with the banjo bolt on the brake caliper, potentially a very big deal.

better said than my post. ^^^

LarryIII · #**277** 10-17-2011, 03:45 PM

Thanks Icingdeath88.

The end links included in my kit have no grease nipples.
My kit is still in its shipping box in my basement let me bring it upstairs to my computer. I'm signing off to get my kit and my trusty tape measure.
See you all in 15 minutes.

svxcess · #**278** 10-17-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

One alternative was used and seemed to work well, but was found to possibly interfere with the banjo bolt on the brake caliper, potentially a very big deal.

I don't see how a different end link setup on the bar alone causes clearance problems. The nuts on the ends should be close to the same with either setup.

But if the bar is one inch longer (48" as opposed to 47") then the mounting point, where the links attach to the sway bar, end is 1/2" closer to the banjo bolt on each side.

.

Hocrest · #**279** 10-17-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxcess

I don't see how a different end link setup on the bar alone causes clearance problems. The nuts on the ends should be close to the same with either setup.

But if the bar is one inch longer (48" as opposed to 47") then the mounting point, where the links attach to the sway bar, end is 1/2" closer to the banjo bolt on each side.

.

The length of the end link could change where the bar is positioned in relation to the calipers.

LarryIII · #**280** 10-17-2011, 04:33 PM

Hi all, I'm back. I have the rear anti-sway bar kit spead out on the kitchen table. I just measured the outside to outside of the flat ends of the bar. It is still exactly 47". Since this dimension depends on the bending of the bar, it is critical. So far we have my 47" dimension, Tom's 48" dimension & Hocrest's 47 3/8" dimension. Metalwork manufacturing of this type should have no more than 1/8" variance in tolerances from piece to piece.

Someone should contact Nevin to see if the bar is heat treated after it is bent. If it is, I'm guessing that it is NOT securely held in place during heat treatment, which will cause the bend to "open up" and account for the varying dimensions.

Also, the end links are not regreasable. The sway bar bushings (part of the kit.....NAPA #9.518G) are regreasable.

Further, the centerline of the bolt holes in both end links in my kit measure 5 3/4" & 5 5/8" respectively. The length of each end link is adjustable, so the variance should not mater.

Finally, I printed out Nevin's installation post, which is #283 in the thread
"Who wants an aftermarket sway bar?"

Good Luck guys.

icingdeath88 · #**281** 10-17-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryIII

Also, the end links are not regreasable.

Not in the traditional sense, but that doesn't mean that you can't put grease on them. :P

I just had my suspension all taken apart but I forgot to measure the bar while it would have been easy, sorry guys. It doesn't seem like it's close to touching anything though, and I remember looking closely at the amount of clearance on both sides when I originally installed the bar and there was definitely enough. I will make sure to check when I jack the car back up to play with the ride height some more with the new coilovers.

Chuckls · #**282** 10-17-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

I just had my suspension all taken apart but I forgot to measure the bar while it would have been easy, sorry guys.

Isn't that one of the reasons you bought that measuring tape

icingdeath88 · #**283** 10-17-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckls

Isn't that one of the reasons you bought that measuring tape

Not really, but it should have reminded me of that.

svxfiles · #**284** 10-19-2011, 08:16 AM

I just checked sicksubie's SVX and it's 47, 3/8" outside to outside.
He seems to have all the clearance in the world!

sunvalleyray · #**285** 10-19-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxfiles

I just checked sicksubie's SVX and it's 47, 3/8" outside to outside.
He seems to have all the clearance in the world!

OT,

Think I will remove my bar and measure off the car, unfortunatley I am flying back east on a business trip for ten days and will not get to it until November.

Questions...
1) Would it not be sensible to have the same specs (meaning width) as the OEM bar?

2) How difficult would it be to bend Nevin's bar? And how?

Ray