Chris Moon

I've put a 30mm 968 sway bar on the front of my '88 951 (non S), and from the time I first installed it, it won't stay centered. The stock bar was off and on the car a number of times and always stayed in place, so what gives?

No matter what I've tried it still shifts to one side. That is, there is about 2/3" sticking out of the bushing of the control arm on one side and more than 1" sticking out of the arm on the other side. I've installed it with no load on the suspension, with the front tires on ramps and an equivalent to my body weight in the driver's seat. I've put shims of different thicknesses between the center brackets on either side. It still moves.

Could the bar be bent? I bought it new from a dealer. If it is bent, how would I know?

My car has 250# springs in front and 28mm torsion bars in back with the stock 951 rear sway bar (18mm). I have had the same problem both before and after upgrading the springs.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
CM

Chris Moon

bump

nine-44

I'd say that if it is not hitting anything, it should be fine. Are you saying it is pulling out of the bushings on the end links tho? That would definately be a problem. Bent end link?

emilysgranny

Chris; what shape are your control arm bushings in. Also check the cross-member bolts for tighness.

tazman

Not to high jack this thread but what is the best way to check the condition of the control arm bushings? I would guess the normal with the wheel off the ground try pushing pulling on it in all directions should reveal any problems with the control arms. I have a problem that I did not get a response to if somebody has any ideas I would appreciate it https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...threadid=85987

Kevin M

Chris,
Mine used to do the same thing until I installed circlips(sp) onto the groove at each end of the bar.
Kevin

emilysgranny

Kevin ; thats an excellent idea. I"ve seen setups on beaters where they actually used hose clamps to stop this. Laughed like h . Taz ,the only real way to tell is to tear it down,otherwise you would be trying to flex or move the whole assembly.The best time to really do this is when you change ball joints .When the control arm is independent of the tie rod ,strut and sway , you can easily feel the give then. Don't just haul off and do this unless you have good reason to suspect this as you will loose your alignment.

W88951

Chris, if you do not have the clips installed on the end of the 30mm bar, it will move. When I initially installed mine, the bar moved within a day to one side. Once I installed the clips, I have not had any problems. Here is a link to the clips.

http://www.944racing.com/Search/View...er=N.012.449.1

Chris Moon

Thanks for all the help.

nine-44, yes, it's pulling out of the bushing on one side of the car and pushing through (too far?) on the other side.

emilysgranny, I'll have a look at the control arm bushings. I forget if they were replaced when I replaced the control arms about 4 years ago. If I'd had any sense I would have put in some Charlie arms, too, but oh well....

Everybody else, I'll give the c-clips a try. As with most things on these cars, the factory probably put that slot there for a reason.

Have a Happy,
CM

Bryan

Cool. I'm about to install the 30mm bar on my car, and wasn't too fussed about the clips. I'm glad I read this - clips are now on their way!

Bryan

Devia

Um, I think mine are totally shot; I tried that link for the 944 on the clips, didn't open.

I may have to take my car out of commission until the bushings come in; it's really moving back and forth when I drive, obviously when I take turns.

I know mine are shot because they are old and cracked, and I think they are the originals.

How much does the whole set of bushings normally cost? Any other small bushings I should look for and replace?

Oh, they said two different sizes for Sway bars on my '83 944; anyone know anything about that? Thanks!

- Julie

Ken

There was a sport option in 83. I believe its code 404 or 474. If you have a factory rear swaybar, then you have the sport option. With the sport option, the front is a 21.5mm, without its a 20mm. The rear should be a 14mm. Hope that helps.

Devia

Thanks, Ken. I'll have to poke around there.

Where can I get the bushing set for a good price? Or is $40 from Porsche pretty much it? (For 4 bushings in the front).

- Julie

W88951

Devia, here you go.

http://www.944racing.com/Search/View...2&selModelID=3

If the link does not work, go to http://www.944racing.com Select OE parts and put in your year and model info.

Devia

Thanks! I just have to crawl under there and measure the sway bar...it's one size or the other, and I don't want to mess up the order!

- Julie