I'm about get a 1.25" front sway bar for my 68 skylark convertible. I get conflicting info on the Energy Suspension endlink kit to buy. This tread www.buickperformanceclub.com/swaybar.htm says to get the #9.8117 with the 2 5/8" spacers but the Energy suspension site says to use #9.8818 with the 2 7/8" spacers. Which is right for a 1.25 bar? Thanks
The 1968 Skylark never came with a 1 1/8" bar. Different bars are bent slightly differently, so I'm thinking there is really no way to know for sure. I would get the longer one, you can always shorten the sleeve if you have to. Ideally, you want the bar to be perpendicular to the end link. I suspect there is no right end link.
I like the prices on this site. I lave bought several bars and parts from them and have been satisfied and everything fit just fine. If you want to check the catalog listings it is available on their website, I linked the bars and link kits here. I am no avthority on this but looks like Larry gave sound advice. I have shortened the tubes more than once, even bought shorter bolts when necessary. But generally what is for 68 Chevelle will probably work on 68 Skylark. Sway Bars and bushings - Muscle Factory Webstore (muscle-factory.com)
Wow! Muscle Factory's price is suspiciously low, seems too good to be true. Summits cheapest 1.25" front sway bar #ADDC709 is 139$, Muscle Factory's 1.25" is #SF040 at 80$. Can that be quality part? This store is specific to chevelles/el camino, will that fit my 68 skylark? Thanks!
64-72 A body bars are interchangeable. The 70-81? Trans-Am (F body) bars fit as well. I got my bar way back when from Malibu Performance. It is 1 3/8" thick, and it fit great.
Sebas, may I ask where you are from? I would look into some junkyards for a sway bar off a Trans am or Camaro. I think they come in at 1.25 inch thick on the WS6 option on the Trans am and 1.125 inch thick on the others. The mounting bushing and brackets and end links should be a easy to find at a local shop. Is there a reason for the aftermarket way?
The difference between the DESIGN of the F-body and A-body sway bars is in the center section between the frame bushing mounts. The overall end to end dimensions are close enough to work. If I recall correctly, the F-body design is more "Dipped" in the middle, while the A-body design is more "flat" between the frame mounts. I have used the F-body bars on two of my A-body cars. The main problem (If you can call it that) was needing to use socket head cap screws (Allen head bolts, to the normal people) instead of normal hex head bolts due to the brackets being bigger due to larger dimensions of the bar, and using AN washers VS standard flat washers (Again, due to larger brackets...). Otherwise. it was a quick and easy swap needing only hand tools. I used polyurethane bushings through-out the swap.
I'm near Montreal, Canada, so shipping fees are always a concern. I want a 1.25" front sway bar because I've read how much it improves drivability , reduces the "boat" feeling. A lot of poeple say its the best improvement on those cars for the money along with a quick ratio steering box and front disk brakes. I already found a 1.125" but want a 1.25" . Thanks
They made alot of WS6 optioned TranAms from 1978 to 1981. The first year for the WS6 option was 1978. Still a good chance of finding one in a yard which the WS6 had a 1.250 front. Not sure of the steering box but I think it can work..
I pulled (and saved) a 1.25" front sway bar from a '71 Trans Am for use in my GS. I noticed that, of course, the larger bars are heavier. Note that there are companies making hollow sway bars which will fit our cars as well - same OD's as OEM versions. If one were essentially the same shape (as OEM) and I were looking today, I might try one of those since it is a lot lighter and puts less weight over the front axle.
The 71 Trans Am had a 1.25" bar? Do you think it was swapped in? I'm about 40 or 50 miles away from my non WS6 79 TA When I get it to it at some point I will measure the front bar.
