Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension rear sway bar mounts

has anyone had problems with the rear bar mounts when using a 22mm bar? The left side bracket/mount broke on my son's car so I thought I would see if there were upgraded mounts available before I make some. It's the piece that is part of the car , not the loop that goes over the bushing. Had the same problem with my Merkur so I had a guy make some for me out of billet aluminum with two bolts instead of the tab/slot one bolt arrangement. Thought I would see if anyone else had run into this problem.
Thanks,
John.

My loops bent and pulled out twice. I could see that the bracket on the frame was bending also, so I bought some heavy-duty aftermarket brackets. I cut 1/8" x 1-1/2" steel bar to make new mounting plates. I drilled a hole in the plate and used the stock bolt to hold the plate in the right spot, then had it welded to the frame and the old bracket. I drilled a hole in the end of the plate where the slot is in the stock bracket and used a bolt/nut to hold that end of the new loop. No problems in the 4 months since. BTW, the marine grease works great to stop poly bushing squeaks.

Clicky!

Scroll down to my replies. You will see what I have done to slightly strengthen my mounts.

John, this is a common problem for stiffer rear sway bars. Take a look around in the suspension forum for 'reinforced backing plates' and you will see there are a number of fixes for this, most notably, Aussie's backing plates that I just had installed.

-Kurt

Thanks, You've all confirmed what I suspected, that It's not an isolated problem. I think the bar manufacturers should offer mount and bracket upgrades along with the bars they sell. Anyone buying this stuff is going to use it to its potential, right??

Aussie sells strengthened backing plates!

So I guess someone already does...

Yep, both of my brackets broke (actually tore!). Came apart at the spot were the sheetmetal makes the right angle turn back towards the bushing. The reinforcing plates won't fix this problem by themselves. I had to fabricate new brackets. Got some angle iron from work and cut it down to fit and welded it to the subframe. I then used Stazi's reinforcing plates and welded them in also. Now with the new parts and the huge Prothane bushing brackets, I think it will take a major screwup to break anything. If you start hearing a clunking from the backend, get under there and check the sway bar mounts carefully. It may just be the front end pulling out of the slot or it could be total sheetmetal failure as in my case!

I had the same problem that Randy is describing. Mine tore completely off one side and 3/4 through the other. Both of them ripped off of the subframe so the slip fitting no longer had anything to slip into.

You will be very suprised at how much better the car handles if you go the way Randy and I did. Its like you just installed your bar again, for the first time. The car is even more tighter then it was when you first put the larger bar on!

Ok, thats great, now tell me where to find "aussie". BAT doesn't have anything. We just welded them up today but I think it'll have to be re-done with more beef

L8 Apexing Aussie long ass name dude... :p

User number: 1917

Send him a PM: HERE