Otto Mechanic

Hello List -

I'm installing a replica M030 front suspension on my '89 S2 and I'm thinking about going out on a limb and installing a "new" part, the Tarett Engineering sway bar (stabilizer) stiffener. You can see a photo of it here:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...pg5.htm#item19

(Note: the above link doesn't take you directly to the part I'm talking about. It's PEL-TE-944STIF)

My question is what sort of connector should be used on the upper eccentric hole? the M8x22 bolts used to mount the stock sway bar "suspension" (part # 944 343 733 31 or #2 in the attached drawing) slip right through it.

I haven't put the new bar up to the car yet to see where this stiffener mounts, as usual there aren't any instructions included. Anyone know the correct size bolt for these? Is there a washer involved? If so, anyone know the specs?

Thanks in advance for any tips and tricks.

Notes on the attachment:

The stiffener I'm talking about bolts up to part #2 in the PET.

Dimi 944

I used M8x25mm bolts to compensate for the thickness of the stiffener brace.
Also, I used 5mm longer bolts for the cross member side.

Otto Mechanic

Hey Dimi -

Thanks for the reply. What I'm really looking for is the fastener used to connect the top of the stiffener to the chassis/crossmember? Like I said, I haven't yet positioned the new sway bar to see what the top of the stiffener is meant to bolt into and what sort of bolt it expects. The head of an M8 bolt is only 13mm across and slips right through the eccentric hole at the top of the stiffener. I could use something like a fender washer I suppose, but it would be nice to hear what other people have done or maybe even what the designer intended?

MistaX

Sounds like you're installing it backward. The eccentric side bolts to the crossmember, which is an M10 17mm bolt.

I reused the factory crossmember bolt and washer, but changed to longer M8's on the bracket side.

is how it should look.

Otto Mechanic

Thanks Mista, I had a heck of a time with that before I figured out those were two separate pictures! The contrast is just about perfect for my brain to try and glue them together

Nope, I don't have it backwards but I also don't have the 2 M10 17mm bolts w/washers you show, that's what I was looking for. You say you re-used them? My stock setup didn't have bolts there at all?

So far I haven't had to lengthen the M8 bolts, they seem fine with about the same number of threads showing, maybe because I've also installed Delrin bushings. I'll dig around to see if there are some M10 bolts somewhere I've overlooked but now I know the specs I can pick them up at a H/W store.

I'm missing two concave washers for the outer droplinks and also two M10 locknuts, I can't figure out where they went. That's a problem with stopping a project for 5 months then starting it back up again. I took a bad fall last summer and fractured my back, just gatting back in the shop again this week.

MistaX

Seems like my memory is off, it's actually an M12 19mm. It should be there, it holds the crossmember to the car!
Part number for the bolt: N0101381 Same as all the M12's used on the rear suspension.
Part number for the washer: 99902507402

Otto Mechanic

Thanks! Got it. I was thinking it had to be on the crossmember itself and was looking through the PET when I got your message, it shows up on 401-00 as parts #3 & #4. Mystery solved.

With luck the next person installing one of these will find this and avoid a few hours of headscratching.

Regards,

V2Rocket

please post your impressions after installing the stiffeners!

924srr27l

I might be ale to help in reverse !

I'm considering taking mine off to see what effect it has, maybe a tad less understeer?




R

MAGK944

Not a great picture, if it helps this is how my front M030 968 sway stiffener looks.

Otto Mechanic

That will probably be more useful than my impression since I've only driven the car to and from the DOT to get it registered with the stock suspension, I'm installing these on spec.

I've read a few reports from people who had the stock hangars (for lack of a better word) break under heavy loads after installing the Delrin bushings and M030 bar so I decided to give these a shot.

Nice looking suspension BTW. Is that crossmember powdercoated or painted? I'm installing a new 3 piece from Lyndsey next week, hadn't occurred to me to paint it. Who's tie rod ends are those?

Otto Mechanic

Thanks Mike, yes it does help. Your installation shows you sandwiched the stock hanger between the ears of the bushing clamp rather than put both the old and new hangars/stiffeners on the outside (front/rear). I didn't take pictures and couldn't remember how it had been set up when I took it out (about a year ago). Neither the manual or the PET was any help so I tried all possible combinations and decided on the one you've shown with the stock hanger sandwiched and the stiffener on the outside rear. That seemed to give me the best clamping force on the bushing with the least distortion of the clamp.

924srr27l

Yes it should show up something, I'm on rubber compliant bushes but less resistance by removing the bracing should allow more flexibility.


My ARB's are 26.8mm / 18mm


Yes, the X member and a lot of Components have been powder coated as I run a shop so it's free and easy !


More here and the entire build:


www.924srr27l.co.uk


I got the tie rods off German ebay !


R

s85b50

Does the stabilizer pendant (944 343 733 31) also fit earlier models (82-85?)

Tiger03447

It might. There are a couple of extra holes in the stamped metal A-Arm. I just use the stock aluminum retainers with new rubber inserts on mine. Underneath the a-arm. It's just a stock rig. I do have the stiffners however, There are two holes in each of them and a slot. The slot goes into the crossmember bolts and the other two just make a sandwich with the stock hangers onto the frame. This is on my '83 944.