Sway Bars

Suspension, brake, and hydraulic/electric steering discussion.
Pursuit
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Location: Omaha, NE area

Re: Sway Bars

Post by Pursuit »

Just got the front bar GM #92266844 installed. It does fit in the stock locations and attaches just like the old one. It was one of the more time consuming, frustrating things I have done on the car. I have never removed a front sway bar from this chassis before. And not knowing the tricks to getting it out, it took 3 hours to get it out and another 4 to put the new one in. I am almost embarrassed to say that. To get the old one out, I ended up lifting the motor up, loosening various lines, etc. I know that there is probably an easy way, but lady luck wasn't giving me any clues!
The new brackets and bushings included with the new bar are beefier and stiffer. I removed the brackets and bushings to install the new bar. BIG mistake! The brackets are "picnched" at their attachment points. Had to use a hammer to knock them off of the bar. Widening them to get them back on is not an option. If you do, the holes won't line up with the studs in the cradle. So, trying to install the brackets over the bushings while in the car is a excercise in frustration, a large C-clamp and prybars. I also had a tub of the urethane teflon grease to help slide things together.
I was NOT going to admit defeat and eventually did get it installed. I am hoping anyone else as better luck with this and please let all of us know! It just was not my day on this project.
I do notice a difference. But with the roads still covered in liquid salt slime and sand dust, any hard cornering results in the StabilTrack kicking in. The potholes are also more readily transmitted into the body, especially if you have a string of them on just one side.

Regards,
Maurice
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
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Tom Slick
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Re: Sway Bars

Post by Tom Slick »

Sweet!

Can't wait to hear how much better it handles!

Later,
Tom Slick
1932 Glassic Ford Model A Roadster Replica - Ford 302/C4, approx. 1400lb... :-)
2015 GMC Sierra SLE Extended Cab - 5.3L
Pursuit
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Re: Sway Bars

Post by Pursuit »

Just replaced the rear bar with the larger SB013 black bar. Much easier than the front bar. I just followed the included instructions per BMR. The only difference was the use of a #30 Torx bit versus the 4mm allen wrench to hold the link stud that the 15mm nut spins on to.
Attachments
22 mm Factory bar and 28mm BMR  bar.jpg
22 mm Factory bar and 28mm BMR bar.jpg (559.13 KiB) Viewed 19260 times
15mm wrench and a #30 Torx.jpg
15mm wrench and a #30 Torx.jpg (351.87 KiB) Viewed 19260 times
Factory 13mm bolt and bracket.jpg
Factory 13mm bolt and bracket.jpg (290.91 KiB) Viewed 19260 times
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
Pursuit
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Location: Omaha, NE area

Re: Sway Bars

Post by Pursuit »

To drive the car with the front bar installed there was a noticible difference. But is almost felt like it was pushing the roll energy to the back of the car causing the rear corners to "dip" more when cornering. The new rear bar made SUCH a noticeable improvement. The car is cornering much flatter, some of the wheel hop related to a standing start is gone and the high speed stability is improved.
Attachments
BMR bar, bushing and factory bracket.jpg
BMR bar, bushing and factory bracket.jpg (307.64 KiB) Viewed 19260 times
BMR bar installed.jpg
BMR bar installed.jpg (325.69 KiB) Viewed 19260 times
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
xcidmigs
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Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:12 pm
Location: SE PA

Re: Sway Bars

Post by xcidmigs »

what do you think of the concept of replacing the rear bar only? Since you describe the difficulty of front install plus seem to have noticed big change on rear bar install?
CrashTestDummy
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Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: Sway Bars

Post by CrashTestDummy »

The car will be a bit more tail-happy. How much? No clue, it would have to be tested. I bet the notable improvement in handling is cumulative, and replacing just the rear bar would result in the same 'meh' feeling as replacing just the front.

Maurice, I know this is a Caprice forum, but I'd love to see pictures of that Grand Prix. I'm a Pontiac guy from way back, having owned several, including a couple of early '70's Trans Ams.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
9C1fanatic
Posts: 430
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2014 8:58 pm
Location: Texas Hill Country

Re: Sway Bars

Post by 9C1fanatic »

Good info. Is this sway bar an upgrade over the 2014 PPV rear bar also or just the 2011-2013 cars.

And sorry in advance, I cant post pics in PMs for some reason. I have one also Crashtestdummy,
Attachments
DSCN0976.JPG
DSCN0976.JPG (1.33 MiB) Viewed 19236 times
Garner Ames



1975 Pontiac Grand Am L77 - 14.82 @ 92.89
1991 Chevrolet C1500 L31 Vortec/5 Speed
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LM7
2014 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 L77 - 13.60 @ 105.87
2019 Chevrolet Express 3500 L96
Navy Lifer
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Re: Sway Bars

Post by Navy Lifer »

Garner, the 2014 & up rear bar is larger - 20mm vs 16mm for 2011-2013...same part that was used on G8 GXP, if my research is correct. It might still be possible to consider the BMR 22mm bar an upgrade over the OE 2014 rear bar, but the BMR bar is hollow, so the OE bar's actual stiffness MAY be as much or more than the BMR bar--I suspect the OE 2014 PPV bar is solid.

The other option to what Maurice did would be a 2014 SS rear bar, which is 28mm...the issue in using this bar is the difference in end link design/orientation, which could call for using SS rear control arms or adjustable end links as offered by BMR & others.

A larger rear bar may also call for reinforcement of the link mounts on the lower control arms--BMR makes a kit for this purpose.

If the SS rear bar was used, it would be very advisable to also use the larger front bar Maurice installed, or an aftermarket (larger) bar.

My approach will be to use the SS front bar, along with the 2015 SS rear bar, which is a different configuration and requires use of different rear lower control arms. I will be changing to SS springs at the same time, to lower the car some and to seek a somewhat softer ride compared to the PPV "heavy duty" spring package.

See photos of both bar designs in this link: http://www.ssforums.com/forum/605969-post77.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
CrashTestDummy
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Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: Sway Bars

Post by CrashTestDummy »

Grand Am! Nice, Garner. I do miss my Pontiacs!!only one we have now is a dedicated autocross car.

We DO have a '95 white Caprice, though. :mrgreen:
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
xcidmigs
Posts: 783
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:12 pm
Location: SE PA

Re: Sway Bars

Post by xcidmigs »

Navy Lifer wrote:
My approach will be to use the SS front bar, along with the 2015 SS rear bar, which is a different configuration and requires use of different rear lower control arms. I will be changing to SS springs at the same time, to lower the car some and to seek a somewhat softer ride compared to the PPV "heavy duty" spring package.
Do you have any good info on what the spring rate is for both and why the SS ones sit lower? also thinking my PPV springs are somewhat too firm for my unloaded car most of the time and I am getting ready to put 19" wheels on which will only exacerbate the issue. Are you planning to change shocks with the rest of the changes you outlined?
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