Installing NOS front stabilizer bar bushings on a standard suspension 67

[Lawrence S.]

I went to install the above on my 67 and had a devil of a time getting them installed. I thought they were incorrect so I googled the part number on the box and they came back correct. The inside diameter of the rubber bushing is .63” and my stabilize bar is .75”. Something just does not seem right? Maybe wrong bushing in the box? Maybe for another GM car put in this box? Curious if the inside diameter of the bushing should closer to .75” rather .63”.
Thanks guys!
Lawrence

[Duke W.]

Yes, they are difficult to install. The bushing ID is smaller than the bar OD (although I can't verify the ID of an OE bushing) to compress the rubber to the point where all movement is in the rubber not the interface between the rubber and the steel as the bar is twisted with suspension movement. If the bushing ID was the same as the bar OD, allowing movement between the bar and bushing, the bushing would wear out very quickly.

It's been so long since I installed one that I can't remember what the trick is to get both bolts started. Hopefully someone with more recent experience will chime in.

Duke

[Tim S.]

Yes, they can be an SOB Lawrence. I have used longer bolts in order to pull the clamp tight against the frame. After that, I then use the OE bolts.

Tim

[Lawrence S.]

Tim, that is what I was thinking I needed to do too. The OE bolts way too short. Will try the longer bolts.
Thanks guys!!

[Leif A.]

Yes, they can be an SOB Lawrence. I have used longer bolts in order to pull the clamp tight against the frame. After that, I then use the OE bolts.

Tim

This is the answer. Install and tighten down using longer bolts. Then, one at a time, exchange the long bolt for the stock bolt. Holding the nut in place is almost as big a PITA as installing the bushings

[Lawrence S.]

This is the answer. Install and tighten down using longer bolts. Then, one at a time, exchange the long bolt for the stock bolt. Holding the nut in place is almost as big a PITA as installing the bushings

Yep the nut is a PITA.

[Lawrence S.]

I finally got these NOS sway bar bushings installed with longer bolts and after a few days installed the original length fasteners. They were still somewhat a pain to install the original length fasteners but got it done.

[John F.]

I recently installed a pair of NOS bushings on mine and used the longer bolts for a couple weeks. I don’t know how much difference that made in the compression, not enough though. Then I loosened both bolts on the clamp and removed them one at a time. With the car on the ground I used a compact bottle jack to push the correct bolt through the clamp and frame, slowly making sure I didn’t tear the bolt threads, and attached the nut. The weight of the car on the bottle jack actually held the bolt head in place while I tightened the nut enough to get the nut completely on the bolt. After removing the jack I completed tightening each bolt. It’s really is surprising how small those bolts are.