Any Issues with Front Poly Sway Bar Bushings

[GordonB]

Need the latest info,
Have searched all past threads, but only found the Front Sway Bar info about having to cut the factory ones off since they are bonded.
Question: Are there any issues with replacing the factory ones with the Poly ones from Dennis/Addco/Energy Susp/et al? I know about greasing the inside of them. Are there any steering issues, etc. that I should be concerned about? I picked up 2 sets of front bushings while in Indy at Kenny Brown's Open House to do both of my cars, but after examing one car late last nite and reading the old threads here on the front sway bar, I am somewhat perplexed. I would appreciate everyone's feedback that has done this mod or done it and put things back to stock.

Thanks,
GordonB

[GordonB]

Anybody with 411?

Would like to install Poly Bushings in Front Sway Bar this weekend, but would sincerely appreciate your all's insight and experience with them. Thanks.

GordonB :confused:

[SouLRioT]

The only one that comes to mind that has done this is CRUZTAKER. PM him, or see if anyone else post that has done it.

[GordonB]

SouLRiot,
Thank you for the info..
GordonB

[GordonB]

Paging SergntMac and any others for their input.

If you have done this mod, pls let me know what you have experienced.

Thanks,
GordonB

[RF Overlord]

Gordon:

I don't know if this will help, but the Addco rear bar I got from Dennis came with polyurethane bushings...they were easy to install (I used marine grease) and they don't squeak or thunk or do anything unpleasant...I can't see why using poly bushing on the front should be any different...I have poly bushings and end-links on the front of my Buick GS and they are great...made a noticeable difference vs. the stock ones...('course the stock ones were 30 years old!)

[TAF]

The stock front swaybar comes with the rubber bushings...well, I guess you could say "fused" on. Changing those would be a little difficult, and with new bushings, you'd need new brackets. Keep in mind...I have not seen any "upgrades" available for the end-links.

As far as upgrading the front bar itself PLUS adding poly bushings....that can be accomplished by purchasing the upgraded front swaybar for the Marauder from ADDCO which is Part# 2196. If you are interested in where to get this full setup, feel free to PM me and I'll give you the source.

[SergntMac]

Paging SergntMac and any others for their input. If you have done this mod, pls let me know what you have experienced. Thanks,
GordonB
In building the Marauder S, Kenny Brown replaces the front bushings and links, but not the sway bar itself. The rationale behind this limited upgrade was to fortify the OEM sway bar, but not increase it's anti-sway properties, and I've come to trust Kenny's views on this.

There have been many discussions here about the benefit/side affects of upgrading the front sway bar, lots of 411 on what's good and what's bad about it. In the end, it all comes down to what you want to do with your MM.

The general "at large" advice I have collected from specialist like Kenny Brown and Dennis Reinhart, is that if you want the best handling from your MM, stick with the OEM sway bar in the front, and upgrade the bushings and links. All you will appreciate from a larger diameter bar is increases stiffness, which does not automatically increase control. Added stiffness does affect other systems, and you'll need to readjust your tire PSI, and make a few changes in your driving habits, or come to overdrive the car in the twisties. The larger bar in front also affects the way the car launches in drag racing, by not allowing the front end to to rise up, and transfer weight (however minimal) to the rear tires. This is probably more cirtical to Mustangs, and more dedicated race cars, but it remains true nonetheless.

These bushings are sold by diameter, and mounting bracket, and are fairly generic. Some are available with zerk fittings too, for the ocassional grease job. They are available at most auto supply houses, like Auto Zone, and Pep Boys, and you could probably pick up what you want on your way home from work. Ditto the links, mostly generic parts, as you see from the displays.

Now, if you are really interested in the ADDCO upgrade kit, our supporting vendor Dennis Reinhart can help you, and for under 200, bucks. Give him a call, the kit will be dropped shipped to your home in a few days...904.276.5003.

Hope this helps answer your question.

[GordonB]

Appreciate all replies.

My specific question was in regards to just changing out the stork front bushings for Poly from Addco/KB/DR/etc. I picked up 2 sets at KB while in Indy, but did not have anyone to advise me on the pro & cons. The KB (Addco) bushings come with brackets and grease. I have concluded that I must CUT/slice thru the OEM ones and then install the new Poly Bushings.

Question: Is the handling improved enough to do the work involved? Are there any pitfalls/drawbacks to replacing JUST the front OEM rubber swaybar bushings? TAF seems to have touched on the installation a little. SergntMac had his done by KB while it was there. I guess I'm just squeamish about cutting into the stock bushings, but I guess that is the only way to do the job. Pls keep comments/experiences coming.

Thanks,
GordonB

[SergntMac]

Question: Is the handling improved enough to do the work involved? Are there any pitfalls/drawbacks to replacing JUST the front OEM rubber swaybar bushings? TAF seems to have touched on the installation a little. SergntMac had his done by KB while it was there. I guess I'm just squeamish about cutting into the stock bushings, but I guess that is the only way to do the job. Pls keep comments/experiences coming. Thanks,
GordonB
Sorry I missed the focus of your post. My advice is to go ahead and change the bushings and links. The improvement in handling and control is remarkable, and you'll appreciate this the most in the curves at highway speeds. All mods carry the risk that you won't like the outcome, but with this mod, risk is minimal, very minimal....IMHO.

[GordonB]

Thanks SergntMac and RF Overlord. I was looking for specific recommendations and experiences.

I'll do one car (the blue one) and see what it feels like. Then I'll probably do the DTR one next. The Blue MM already has the DR/Addco rear bar and the Mac & Zack rear control arms so logic dictates that I do the front bar bushings on Blue to determine the improvement!

Anyone else done the front bushings themselves on our MMs??

Cheers!
GordonB