66 sway bar, continued

[Ed K.]

This sway bar has turned into quite an event.
First the nut plate would not fit between the rebuilt T/A and the spring bolt. Jacking up the T/A to running height allowed sliding it in, barely. Secondly, the 120 ft lb torque error in the books for the arm mounting bracket leading to a broken bolt jamming the nut plate in, but eventually worked it out.

1. And now upon assembly I noticed that the stabilizer link (LICS part name) rotates around the outermost metal sleeve of the bushing - metal rotating on metal. I'm thinking of tack welding that outer sleeve to the link, thereby resulting in the stabilzer link and outer sleeve rotating around the rubber portion of the bushing. The innermost metal bushing sleeve should lock tight to the bracket, I think. But, does anyone know what should rotate around what?
2. When tightening the stabilizer link to the sway bar the link pinches considerably at the top. Does not seem correct?

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 sway bar, continued

This sway bar has turned into quite an event.
First the nut plate would not fit between the rebuilt T/A and the spring bolt. Jacking up the T/A to running height allowed sliding it in, barely. Secondly, the 120 ft lb torque error in the books for the arm mounting bracket leading to a broken bolt jamming the nut plate in, but eventually worked it out.

1. And now upon assembly I noticed that the stabilizer link (LICS part name) rotates around the outermost metal sleeve of the bushing - metal rotating on metal. I'm thinking of tack welding that outer sleeve to the link, thereby resulting in the stabilzer link and outer sleeve rotating around the rubber portion of the bushing. The innermost metal bushing sleeve should lock tight to the bracket, I think. But, does anyone know what should rotate around what?
2. When tightening the stabilizer link to the sway bar the link pinches considerably at the top. Does not seem correct?

Ed------


There should be nothing "rotating" around anything. The steel outer shell of the bushings should fit tightly into the sway bar orifices and into the link lower orifices. There is not designed to be rotation between the outer shell of the bushing and either the sway bar or the link. Any rotational movement that occurs should occur via rotational "flexing" of the elastomer component of the bushing. These bushings work in the same way as a-arm shaft bushings and trailing arm forward bushings.

While some slight deflection of the upper link "stirrups" might occur when the bushing center bolt is torqued, it should not be "substantial". If it is, I would say that the bushings and/or link are inferior and/or not made to original spec.

[Ed K.]

Re: 66 sway bar, continued

Joe, thank you very much. Your assessment makes sense. You've been a great help throughout this rear end rebuild - sensably knowledgeable and timely. AND to the other guys who have jumped in also - Thank you.

It's become a helluva project!!!