How Flush Should Sway Bar Link Ends Be?

[Muzez]

Hey Guys, 

Replacing old rubber Sway Bar Link Ends this week with new Poly ones. QQ: How flush is the bushing supposed to sit on the sway bar?

The old rubber ones contoured to the curve of the metal of the bar, but mostly because they were 43 years old and absolutely shot. As I am tightening the poly ones, they don't have as much flexibility and so they don't align as nicely. I assume this is okay, but wanted to check first before hitting the road. (Disclaimer: Sway bar ends are not tightened in the photos. Took the photo when I first put them in place, but forgot to take a tighted photo before leaving the shop.)

[Captain Obvious]

I believe the poly should operate the same way the originals do. Meaning...

There should be a metal sleeve that runs through the center of the bushings. You're supposed to tighten the nut down until there is metal-to-metal contact between the washers and that sleeve. The compliance of the bushings is supposed to compress until that point. In theory, you should be able to feel the tightening torque shoot up once all the play has been taken up.

[Pilgrim]

^^Agreed. Been doing this on my 280ZX. There is a torque spec for those in the service manual, too.  Might be around 40 lbs/ft but check it, don't trust my memory.

[Captain Obvious]

pbbbbbt. Torque spec.  

Seriously though. I'm sure there's a spec, but 40 ft-lb sounds a little high for that small of a bolt. Another vote to check the manual.

[EuroDat]

The kit I used didn't have spaces in the rubber. It did have an extra waher and just one tube spacer between the swaybar and lower control arm.

See Pos nr.9 & 14 in the Hyperflex dreak down photo.

280Z Hyper-Flex Kit.pdf

[Muzez]

2 hours ago, Captain Obvious said:

Seriously though. I'm sure there's a spec, but 40 ft-lb sounds a little high for that small of a bolt. Another vote to check the manual.

@Captain Obvious & @Pilgrim Didn't find it in the Haynes manual or in the Datsun FSM. Is there a different term people use for it other than Stabilizer or Sway Bar Link End?  

@EuroDat that's the same setup I have. Also, and unrelated: I hope its not too forward, but you got a nice undercarriage. 😉 

 

 

[Pilgrim]

In my 1983 ZXT manual it's on pages FA-4 or FA-8. The diagram on FA-4 is best.  Glad you asked, it's a very low torque spec, 12-16 Lbs/Ft. 

It would help if you'd mention the year of your Z, just in case it's quite different.

Edited September 28, 2020 by Pilgrim

[EuroDat]

Oh crap. Wrong photos. Now Ill try that again.

You are wrong on with your comments about not fitting well. They do pull in with a little persuasion. I used a block of wood and a trolley jack to compress them enough and start the nut. See second photo.

Another point. My kit was 4 rubbers and washers, simple bolt, nyloc nut and a spacer tube. If you tightened down hard , you could crush the rubbers completly. I tighted the nut until the rubbers started to bulge slightly. Checked them aftrr a couple of monthes and retightened a little where needed.

I hope that makes some sense.

 

[Pilgrim]

Nice photos!!

Also helpful comment on using the wood block and separate jack.  Been ruminating on how I was going to press that bar up into position.

[EuroDat]

Back when I did that (in 2012) most people were buying longer bolts that would stick out about an inch above the nut. The original bolt is long enough to get one full thread past the nyloc ring. 

Edited September 28, 2020 by EuroDat

[Muzez]

33 minutes ago, Pilgrim said:

It would help if you'd mention the year of your Z, just in case it's quite different.

Sorry, was posting while in a meeting, am a terrible multitasker. 1977 280z. 

[Muzez]

35 minutes ago, EuroDat said:

Oh crap. Wrong photos. Now Ill try that again.

You are wrong on with your comments about not fitting well. They do pull in with a little persuasion. I used a block of wood and a trolley jack to compress them enough and start the nut. See second photo.

Another point. My kit was 4 rubbers and washers, simple bolt, nyloc nut and a spacer tube. If you tightened down hard , you could crush the rubbers completely. I tighten the nut until the rubbers started to bulge slightly. Checked them after a couple of months and retightened a little where needed.

I hope that makes some sense.

Makes perfect sense. Will give this a try with the jack tonight and will update you on the progress!