Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Sway Bars

You can buy weld-in upgraded backing plates or have a set made.

I think my setup of using the stock mount with the Pro-Thane Bracket/Bushing combo will leave me worry free. The big issue is once the Ford bracket gets slightly bent, it then continues to beat itself on the stock mount bending itself out of shape. Your stock mount takes lots of abuse this way.

they sure do...I tore mine apart like paper with a week's worth of civilized driving with the Aussie bar installed.

Bottom line is this - the Aussie bar will give you a tremendous improvement in handling and feel, the car corners much flatter and is a blast to drive afterward. BUT, modifications of some sort to the stock brackets ARE necessary (or complete replacement with custom heavy duty brackets...that's what I'm doing ) to ensure proper function and longevity.

IMHO the Aussie bar is totally worth it, just plan on doing a little extra to make it last.

Oh wow, ok, now I got it ... it just took a little explaining.

Are there any 'brackets' that I could buy online or whatever instead of having them custom made? And if there are brackets online, would it be something I could install myself? I guess I'm a little dissapointed in that I was trying to do this myself as my first "on my own" project and now its turning out to be "I hope it doesn't fuc* up my car" project.

Anyways, thanks for all you help!!!

New brackets can be had by Prothane. New mounting plates are a piece of sheet steel approx 1/8" thick with two holes drilled in it.

You can buy them from "Stazi the Aussie" look in the suspension forum a few days/weeks ago for his info. $15 shipped. You then will need to have them welded in. The Prothane bracket then mounts to this new weld in plate.

Not so simple.

I think that if you buy it from Terry Haines, the backing plates are included. Check with him on that. I'm pretty sure Stazi and Terry are cohorts, so it may not matter which one you talk to about the aussie bar.

There was also some discussion around here a while back about Terry developing some sort of bolt-on backing plates. Don't know where it went, though.

Yes, very much so! Ya. You have to remove your stock sway bar bolts holding the bar to the subframe. You will have to enlarge your stock bracket slightly. You will have two bolts that hold the end of the bar to the control arm. You will also need to lower the fuel tank slightly so you can fit the new bar in.

Only the best, the Aussie Bar.

Anytime. As for the few cars that have ripped the stock brackets off, I have, multiple times. My car has the Aussie bar, 1/4" thick angle subframe mounts, and poly bushings on the endlinks. Even with me tearing the stock brackets out of the car, I wouldn't go back to the stock swaybar for anything. It is the best mod I have done to my car so far.