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Re: Sway Bars

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 10:46 am
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

Re: Sway Bars

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 6:10 pm
by Tom Slick
Sweet!

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

Later,
Tom Slick

Re: Sway Bars

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 9:30 am
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.

Re: Sway Bars

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 9:36 am
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.

Re: Sway Bars

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2015 9:47 am
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?

Re: Sway Bars

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2015 11:09 am
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.

Re: Sway Bars

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 2:41 am
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,

Re: Sway Bars

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 7:09 am
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;

Re: Sway Bars

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 11:24 am
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:

Re: Sway Bars

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 3:24 pm
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?