Suspension Techniques help please

[Fentin_Fury]

I just installed (tried to) suspension techniques sway bars in my 240Z - the rear went on fine after removal of the diff and replacing the diff/mustache bar hanging brackets. However, the front bar (bolt onROFL ) hits the oil pump as it moves through the suspension travel. This is not a particularly good thing:disappoin . I was wondering if others have experienced this and what their solution was - either moving the bar down or the bar towards the front - or both.

thanks all

Q

[2ManyZs]

Never had that happen. Aren't the mounting plates slotted for a little fore/aft adjustment?

[Fentin_Fury]

Yes they are slotted - but not enough. I need to shift the mounts forward - but that will mess up the geometry on the end links. My original sway bar was fine - although tiny. I will try to shift away from the frame - keeping the endlinks vertical. I'll take pictures for those interested.

Q

[ZmeFly]

One most all of my Z cars Ive used SST springs and sway bars and never had a problem with fitment.

Hope you find the cause of your problem.

[Fentin_Fury]

I agree - fitment on the back was excellent. It is a 1" bar on the front - I don't know if that matters. Let you know what happens on Friday.

Q

[2ManyZs]

Well, the only thing I can think of that could possibly cause the problem other than a sway bar that isn't bent correctly or is just plain defective would be the control arms or the frame itself.

Have you checked to make sure the control arm bushings are mounted correctly, that is, if they have been replaced? The thicker part of the bushing should be at the rear of the control arm, which mounts the control arm offcenter of the opening towards the front?

Has the car ever been dinged in the front or backed into that you know of?

[Fentin_Fury]

I see no indication of structural damage or modification - That was one of my first thoughts - a repositioning of the 4 mount points(slightly) through some clever frame restoration - but when I removed the four bolts I observed factory paint (orange) from the rails under many years of dirt and grime.

I believe, also, that the control arm bushings are in correctly (although I will check now that I'm paranoid). If they are in backwards .....:stupid:

I am using a 280ZXT oil pump - but they are not physically bigger are they? I don't have a standard 240 pump for comparison.

On another note: just picked up (yesterday) some Toyo Proxie RA1 225/50/15 for lapping - need to get the bar on this weekend and I will - just may require some fabrication.

Quentin

[Fentin_Fury]

It appears there had been some repairs to my frame - at least new bolts and nuts welded in for the sway bar mount (front). The bolts were not metric but standard. I used a 1/4" plate spacer and remounted the new sway bar - clears the oil pump now. Everything seems good to go.

[dogma420]

I just put on the front s.t. sway bar, it has a definite bend to go around the front of the motor (and oil pump) and won't hit anything. Possibly they gave you the wrong ones, or your z has been highly modified?

Take the new one and line up with the old one, I noticed they are the same exact shape, just that one is much much thicker. That should tell you something.

Later,

Dogma