240z rear sway bar mounting location

[escapedan]

Hey guys,

I'm in the process of mounting an MSA rear sway bar on my 73 240. The car did not have an existing rear bar, however it appears that there are factory mounting brackets welded to the frame. I have secured the swaybar to the a-arms with the appropriate linkage, and interestingly the sway bar fits right into those welded "mounts" on the frame.

The instructions that came with the MSA bar don't mention this mounting place and suggest drilling holes through the frame (via removing the carpet behind the seats).

Can I just use the existing "mounts" or do you suggest using the MSA method???

Thanks!

Daniel Stampf

[mdbrandy]

Seems to me that if you have the factory mounts, you should use them. You'll need appropriate bushings and the steel plates that close off those brackets. I see the metal plates on e-bay now and again. Probably other sources too.

[escapedan]

Thanks a million! I've adapted the ST bushings and fab'd the metal plates. Worked like a charm!

Take care,

Dan

[beandip]

Yes do use the brackets. The sway bar from a early 260 fits these as well. Midwest z most likely can come up with the plates. :classic:

[240ZMan]

I'm getting ready to do the same thing, escapedan, on my '73. In talking to MSA they tell me that if I want to use the existing factory brackets for the rear bar, I need one from a 280, not a 240. Given these things are heavy and shipping is slow and not cheap, I'm trying to pin down in advance what I really need. Which year rear bar did you put in?

And just to be clear, here's a picture of the brackets on my car. Do they look like yours?

[mdbrandy]

I'm getting ready to do the same thing, escapedan, on my '73. In talking to MSA they tell me that if I want to use the existing factory brackets for the rear bar, I need one from a 280, not a 240. Given these things are heavy and shipping is slow and not cheap, I'm trying to pin down in advance what I really need. Which year rear bar did you put in?

And just to be clear, here's a picture of the brackets on my car. Do they look like yours?

I can't tell you if a 280Z bar will work, but if it will, I've got one hanging around off my '78 parts car that you can have.

[Ed]

On my 73 I used the factory mounts. The sway bar came from a 74 260. No problems.

[beandip]

240zman these brackets are the same as on my '73 . If you look at the picture you will see the front of the diff is in the way it you use a 280 sway bar . The bar that fits is one from a early '74 260 . It has bends in it that causes the s. bar to travel forward of the diff and clear it. I got mine at the u-pullet ,$10.00. All the hardware that attaches to the suspention is the same as the 280s. I have a extra set of plates if you need a set . Gary

[240ZMan]

Thanks Beandip. For the bar you found at the yard, was it the stock one, or was it bigger? I ask becasue I want to go with a 1" in front and 7/8" in back to dial some understeer out. My understanding is that the stock 260 bar was smaller than 7/8" so that option might not work for me.

I may take you up on the offer of the plates - still trying to get in touch with MSA to get this worked out.:tapemouth

[240ZMan]

Just spoke to Sal at MSA. Turns out their '74 260Z bars will fit on the '73 with factory mounted brackets, but the included hardware does not work with the factory brackets. We're going to improvise with poly bushings for the stock bar which I'll enlarge, and some used plates.

Now I can't wait to get them on the car!

[beandip]

The bar I mounted is a stock part. I dont want to stiffen the ride , just tighten up some of the roadability for street driving . I used all new rubber mounting also for the same reason . Also to keep the road noise out as will.