SGT V

91 formula WS6 completely stock. Been in storage for 15 years. Would it be worth my time in replacing the sway bars along with the end links? Any sugestions?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Probably not.

Do replace the bushings though. Measure em with an open-end wrench (Crescent wrench (tape measure works fine), and buy the next size smaller, by 1/16", than whatever they measure.

They're probably 36/24 if the front is hollow or 34/24 if the front is solid.

SGT V

Ok thanks. Are those polyurethane bushings the better way to go?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Yes. Both bushings and end links.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

If the car is a true WS6 chances are your gonna have one of those two size combos that Sofa mentioned but there are others the car could possibly have not to mention what others have done to the car in the last 30 years so to be sure you really need to measure them.
If they are not the 36mm/24mm hollow or the 34mm/24mm sizes and depending on what you're doing with the car, then it may be worth it. If the car is just a cruiser on the occasional weekend whatever is on there will work just fine, if you're looking for more of a corner carver then it would be beneficial to invest in a set of bigger sway bars but do your homework and don't just buy bigger because some random dude on the interwebs tells you bigger is better, some prefer a 19mm rear sway bar over a 24mm, different sized sway bars are used to tune the cars suspension to individual preferences. If you do have a smaller set of sway bars and decide to move up in size it would be a good idea hold on to those smaller bars.
From a suspension performance view polyurethane should only be use in a handful of places on the car and the sway bar end links and body bushings are a couple of those place that can be a benefit, using polyurethane here can actually make a smaller sway bar feel more like a larger sway bar because the poly doesn't as pliable as rubber making the sway bar more rigid. Polyurethane is a great product but it's not necessarily great everywhere in the suspension.
FYI for the front body bushings hold on to the metal clamp/strap that bolts to the body the aftermarket options are not a direct replacement for those as the factory bolt holes are off center were as the aftermarket the mounting holes are the aftermarket ones can be made to work but that requires some modification, UMI does sell an adapter kit for using aftermarket sway bar body bushings.
Weekend cruiser or corner carver if the car doesn't have one you should really consider installing a steering brace/wonder bar which uses same hardware as the front sway bar body bushings.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

The body to bar bushings are still rubber but the endlinks are blue poly from the factory. (They changed from yellow to blue between 89 and 91)
I use moog blue bushings to replace the poly endlinks when they get brittle and falls apart. Its a tad softer than poly but way stiffer than the rubber. Leave the bar mount bushings unless just a complete mess. I like the factory mount bushings because of the cloth like lining they have.

SGT V

Thank you for all for the good info! It is definitely a WS6 car, and never been molested. It's been in the family since brand new in 91. Only have 49k miles. I measured the sway bars. 34/23. It's does have the original blue sway bar end link bushings. I'm wanting to get this car back to safe and drivable condition. Just enjoy it for what it is. A 32yr old car that maybe had 215 hp on its best day. Lol

SGT V

So i decided to keep the old sway bars. Ordered the bushings, end links, and koni shocks from Hawks. When i reinstalled the rear sway bar and lowered the car to the ground. It looks like there is MUCH more space between the tire and wheel well. Is it possible i installed the sway bar backwards? i did not take pictures of the front or rear sway bars before i removed them. How can i tell?

soulbounder

Installing the sway bar backwards shouldn't affect the height unless it is physically binding up on something. My guess is your shocks will settle after you drive it a bit.

83 Crossfire TA

iTrader: (2)

Huh, I've never seen a 34mm solid bar, but I own a 34 hollow and I know that the TTA's came with them also. I also don't think that a 23mm rear bar is all that common either, 24, 21, 19 are probably the most common, there was also what I called the "rumored" 25mm rear bar, and I called it that because everyone that said they had one actually had a 24mm with measured with calipers. That said a few years ago I bought what was supposed to be a factory 24mm that legit measures to be a 25mm (and it's funny but it really does look beefier).

I like the Moog blue bushings that fit the factory brackets, but I'm not sure what they're really made of. Moog lists them as both rubber and poly in different places. I drill my factory brackets and install zerks and then drill and groove the insides of the bushings for grease passages.


(Not f-body bushings but factory GM shells from my Fleetwood Brougham with the same bushings installed and done about a week ago)

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

I don't think you can install a rear sway bar upside down on these cars, I'm sure someone will prove me wrong
When installed correctly the center of the sway bar should be below and slightly further towards the rear of the car.
From Hawks website:

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

^^^ This ^^^

The sway bar doesn't affect ride height in any case, let alone "fender clearance", unless something is DRASTICALLY screwed up. More likely the car will go back to being the way it was within acoupla miles.

SGT V

ok, thanks! hopefully it will settle back down after a few miles. Ill post again once its back on the road.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

Not knowing what the condition of the old parts are/were IE torque arm, lower control arms, panhard rod, rear coil springs, rear shocks, end links sway bar body bushings......
If those parts were/are severely worn then parts like the coil springs can effect the ride height but the other parts if they're not damaged more than likely not, parts like the sway bar, lower control arms, panhard rod would have to be severely damaged and the result would probably be the opposite with the tire making contact with the wheel well. The sway bar is just a big torsion spring but normally it's not going to effect the ride height.
The rear shocks probably aren't going to have much effect on the ride height either unless they're installed wrong, I say that because people do weird stuff to cars. When you replaced the shocks did you drop the rear down, did the coil springs lose contact at the body and the spring perches on the rear end, are you sure they are seated right?

ughmas

Sorry for the lack of sway bar input (all my thoughts have already been covered), but I demand pictures of this all original 50k mile 91 formula for my viewing pleasure :-) any chance you are considering selling?

SGT V

here are a few pictures. Too attached to sell her.

ughmas

wow gunmetal grey too!! beautiful formula, understandable, thanks for the pics!

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Great looking formula!