[TommyG-69Conv]

Hi - I am new to this, so please bear with me as I learn how to use the forum. I feel like an idiot, but I've been having a really tough time trying to install a 1 1/8" front sway bar in my '69 ragtop. What I have done so far on the front suspension upgrade is: 2" dropped spindles, disc brake conversion, all new poly bushings, KYB shocks and the Helwig bar.
Boy do I feel stupid.... How can this be so difficult?!? If there is a trick to maneuvering that thing around that someone would like to share with me, I'd love to hear about it!
It seems to me that I screwed up and should have put it in before I installed the springs & shocks (at least on one side) as that seems to be the interference point. I hate to take the spring & shock back out again if I don't have to.

[zeb596]

I had to remove a spring then it went right in. Check your clearance between your tie rod and rim.. There have been clearance issues with drop spindles.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showth...=drop+spindles

[batboy]

I was able to install my front sway bar after the springs and shocks were in, but then, I don't have drop spindles.

[Rodder]

I had to fabricate a "spring spreader" and use a big hammer to get my 1 1/8" addco swaybar through one of my front springs. save yourself a huge headache and remove the spring.

[Fred Ficarra]

Addco makes a 1 1/8" bar???!! Seriously? Mine's only 1".

[67motorcat]

Originally Posted by Fred Ficarra

Addco makes a 1 1/8" bar???!! Seriously? Mine's only 1".

Mine is a 1 1/8" Addco sway bar and it works great.I was able to get mine in,but it takes patience and a little touch up paint after it's in...I don't have dropped spindles though....good luck,I hope you get it in with out having to pull a spring?...

[Rocketrod]

The following are for installing a Hotchkis 1 1/8" sway bar,but they should still work as long as the 2" drop spindles aren't a problem.

Read the instructions in the link below starting at step 7F on page 5
http://www.hotchkis.net/files/instal...ides/2207F.pdf

[Rodder]

Originally Posted by Fred Ficarra

Addco makes a 1 1/8" bar???!! Seriously? Mine's only 1".

Yep, although I've read somewhere (here I think) that it's too stiff and you're better off with the 1". I think the 1 1/8 is also pretty much guaranteed to rip out the mounting bolts that go into the subframe rails if you haven't made some kind of reinforcement.

Whether the 1 1/8 bar will fit betweent he spring coils will also depend on what springs you are running. I got my springs from PST around 1999, not sure what the specs are.

[TommyG-69Conv]

Originally Posted by Rocketrod

The following are for installing a Hotchkis 1 1/8" sway bar,but they should still work as long as the 2" drop spindles aren't a problem.

Read the instructions in the link below starting at step 7F on page 5
http://www.hotchkis.net/files/instal...ides/2207F.pdf

Thanks - much better instructions than Helwig gave. Once I got to the point of getting the bar above the lower control arm, I could not get past the spring - I'll reinstall to that point again and take a good look to see if the dropped spindles are an issue. Thanks again (to everyone) for your replies.

[TommyG-69Conv]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I'm still new at this forum, but sure am impressed with the quick and informative replies. I'll probably have more questios as I work my way through getting my car up to where I want it.