Sway bar end link bolt

[warren57]

I'm installing my front sway bar and the attachment to the control arm is going to need a longer bolt and spacer sleeve to keep the bar somewhat level and the bolt plumb.
The bolt doesn't appear to be anything special. What grade bolt would you suggest?

[Maddog]

I would use grade 8. Grade 5 is probably OK but there's no difference in price. There are just end link kits available.

[Maddog]

Here's one from Energy Suspension at Summit, Prothane has them also. I'm sure they come in different lengths but I'll let you do the searching for what you need.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ens-9-8125g?seid=srese1&gclid=CPi347bTq7kCFYU5Qgod8VsAzA

[warren57]

Thanks, I'll measure tomorrow and see if they have something.
Are the sleeves hardened also???
Thanks

[Maddog]

I don't think so but you do need to have the beveled or curved washers to support the cushions. I would buy a kit before bothering with making one.

[Maddog]

Take the un-wanted roll out of your body with End Links from Prothane. Prothane's polyurethane end links will improve handling by eliminating the flex of factory rubber bushings.
Use the below guide to find the correct end link. With your car level (not jacked-up), check to make sure the stabilizer bar and control arm are parallel. Now measure the distance ''A'' (front center of stabilizer bar to control arm) and match the measurement with the corresponding end link.2377

[warren57]

I have the bolts, washers and rubber cushions that came with the sway bar kit, just an inch or so short on the bolt. I have wagon springs and that has the control arms a little lower than stock, so if I install the bolts with the kit, the sway bar runs downward towards the mount and that creates an angle so the bolt isn't plumb.

[Rick_L]

Just use the parts you have with a longer bolt and a longer piece of tubing.

You want the ends of the sway bar to be close to horizontal at ride height.

[smooth 56]

Just wandering but I thought that the spring's and A arm's were the same for sadan and wagon's. My question is how do the spring's set the A arm lower?

[Rick_L]

When you use a longer or stiffer spring to raise the front of the car, the frame where the sway bar mounts is higher relative to the lower control arm. So the links need to be longer. You would see the opposite if you lowered the car with shorter or lighter springs.

[smooth 56]

Thank's for clearing that up for me it was just a dumb question but I learned something.

[warren57]

Thank's for clearing that up for me it was just a dumb question but I learned something.

It's back to the same old thing, when you change one thing from stock, there is a ripple effect that changes many other things.....

[warren57]

OK, now I can't find bolts long enough. The link bolt is 5/16 grade 5. The longest bolt I can find is 6" I need at least 7" and could make 8 work.
Don't mind drilling out the mount and washers to 3/8, but can't find them that long either.
Anyone know where to look?
I can drive up towards Chevynut's to a Tractor Supply Store, but don't think they stock such a thing.....
I guess if all else fails, I could build a new mounting bracket that offsets an inch to the top, but a bolt is easier.
Thanks

[chevynut]

Try Fastenal. If you don't have one there, we have one up here. Or you can order online from them. Check McMster-Carr too...their shipping is pretty cheap in my experience.

[Rick_L]

Fastenal and McMaster-Carr are great suggestions. Seems like there would be a fastener supply house in the Denver area that would have them, but that may be more trouble than it's worth.

The other thing you could do is use all thread and nylon locking nuts on both ends. The force on the fastener is not that high.

[NickP]

OK, now I can't find bolts long enough. The link bolt is 5/16 grade 5. The longest bolt I can find is 6" I need at least 7" and could make 8 work.
Don't mind drilling out the mount and washers to 3/8, but can't find them that long either.
Anyone know where to look?
I can drive up towards Chevynut's to a Tractor Supply Store, but don't think they stock such a thing.....
I guess if all else fails, I could build a new mounting bracket that offsets an inch to the top, but a bolt is easier.
Thanks



http://www.mcmaster.com/#91257a605/=odskkv



5/16"-18—Head: Wd. 1/2"; Ht. 13/64"

1/2" Fully Threaded 100 92620A578 $13.95
5/8" Fully Threaded 50 92620A579 8.33
3/4" Fully Threaded 50 92620A581 8.36
7/8" Fully Threaded 50 92620A582 9.54
1" Fully Threaded 50 92620A583 9.77
1 1/4" Fully Threaded 50 92620A585 9.81
1 3/8" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 25 91257A585 12.17
1 1/2" Fully Threaded 10 92620A587 7.11
1 1/2" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 50 91257A587 11.15
1 5/8" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 25 91257A588 12.72
1 3/4" Fully Threaded 10 92620A589 6.32
1 3/4" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 50 91257A589 11.93
2" Fully Threaded 10 92620A591 8.66
2" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 50 91257A591 13.01
2 1/4" Fully Threaded 25 92620A301 11.43
2 1/4" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 25 91257A592 7.83
2 1/2" Fully Threaded 10 92620A593 14.40
2 1/2" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 25 91257A593 8.36
2 3/4" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 25 91257A596 9.31
3" Fully Threaded 5 92620A595 5.38
3" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 25 91257A595 10.81
3 1/4" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 25 91257A594 11.78
3 1/2" Fully Threaded 5 92620A596 11.14
3 1/2" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 10 91257A597 6.52
3 3/4" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 10 91257A599 7.12
4" Fully Threaded 5 92620A597 12.16
4" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 10 91257A598 7.40
4 1/4" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 5 91257A607 8.23
4 1/2" Fully Threaded 5 92620A598 13.96
4 1/2" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 10 91257A600 10.31
4 3/4" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 5 91257A116 9.51
5" Fully Threaded 5 92620A599 14.70
5" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 5 91257A603 6.61
5 1/4" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 5 91257A118 10.21
5 1/2" Fully Threaded 1 92620A600 3.21
5 1/2" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 5 91257A601 6.74
5 3/4" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 5 91257A120 10.68
6" Fully Threaded 1 92620A601 3.51
6" 7/8" to 1 3/16" 5 91257A602 7.26
6 1/2" 1 1/8" to 1 7/16" 5 91257A604 10.40
7" 1 1/8" to 1 7/16" 5 91257A605 11.26
7 1/2" 1 1/8" to 1 7/16" 1 91257A606 2.35
8" 1 1/8" to 1 7/16" 1 91257A435 1.55
9" 1 1/8" to 1 7/16" 1 91257A122 5.36
10" 1 1/8" to 1 7/16" 1 91257A126 5.50
12" 1 1/8" to 1 7/16" 1 91257A130 6.64