I'd like to add a rear sway bar to firm up the ride. Thinking to trailer with the beast as well. I've searched but not finding good answers to these eternal questions: Can the bar and hardware be purchased new anywhere? What years/models of other GM cars have a bar that'll work? Thanks!
I've looked long and hard for one of these for my Centurion with no luck. I first bought one from an '85-ish Caprice, but it was an inch too short. I then found one under a early '70s Caprice, like a 71 or so. I thougt it would fit but it turned out it was the same size as the later Caprice's. I've seen one under a Pontiac (Pontiac's answer to the Riv) from the early 70's, but I never tested it. I'm sure there's something out there that will work, we just have to figure out what.
We might have an answer to this question by tomorrow. I found a '76 Caprice in the yard today with a bar that looked like it might do it. I took it out and put it under a later b-body caprice with a bar to compare, and it was about an inch longer, so that might have been the inch I've been looking for. The bars on the later caprices have all had lots of bends on them, while this is more straight with just a slight curve to clear the pumpkin. I hope the 9 3/8 isn't too big so it won't fit for those reasons. I'll give it a shot to put it on tomorrow and report back with some pics.
The rear bar off of a 76 chevy caprice/impala will fit. I know because that's where I acquired my sway bar and I put it under my 72 Buick Centurion. Works great. Just make sure you take any attaching hardware that is there. 2mnykars
Test fitted it today and it looks like we're in business. The bar itself is not as beefy as the ones found on the later years b-bodys, which were real heavy too.
Good news. And thanks for the pictures. Now it makes sense that the bar works between B-bodied Caprice and Centurion. Will that go onto my E-bodied Riviera? Or should I check underneath Eldorados and Tornados?
don't know about the Riv, but FWIW I have one under my '73 Catalina. I was able to source another one that I hoped would work for my mid 60's big Buicks, but it wouldn't clear that big 9 3/8" Buick rear. The Pontiac had a smaller rear and brakes-everything was smaller/lighter duty than my older Buicks-good luck
I would think that the Eldorado and Toronado are not the source you will find something under, since they're fwd they will have a different kind of axle in the back. I think the Riv and the Centurion would have the same rear axle. I had a '73 Riv for a while and I didn't see any differences. I would also be pretty sure they would share the same control arms too. Maybe someone else would actually know?
Whadathey call that thing where you forget things you absolutely knew? OK. Toronado for sure (first FWD V8) but the Eldo too? So the B-body is the ticket?
Look on 1973 Riviera GS's, they have sway bars standard with the GS handeling package. I believe the Lesabre was the only B-body car that could could have a sway bar from the factory. I'll check my literature when I get home. I can't wait to put one on the Electra.:grin:
I just wanted to compare it to the one I found under the Caprice to see if it was the same deal. Sure looks like it, but I think the one in your picture is turned up side down.
