When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 67 Cutlass. Towards the end of last Summer, I installed a HD front sway bar. After that, my front tires rub on the sway bar when trying to make a tight turn. I had thought about installing a 1/2" wheel spacer but I wasn't sure if I would need to install longer wheel studs? I would love to swap out the rims with ones with more of an offset but I don't know if that's in the cards for this year. I am just bringing the car out of hibernation, that's why I am finally asking about this now. Thanks!
I have a 67 Cutlass. Towards the end of last Summer, I installed a HD front sway bar. After that, my front tires rub on the sway bar when trying to make a tight turn. I had thought about installing a 1/2" wheel spacer but I wasn't sure if I would need to install longer wheel studs? I would love to swap out the rims with ones with more of an offset but I don't know if that's in the cards for this year. I am just bringing the car out of hibernation, that's why I am finally asking about this now. Thanks!
Just curious why you installed a HD front sway bar, and wouldn't it be easier just to change that back to a factory stock sway bar?
More wheel offset will likely create increased loading of the front wheel bearings and shorter life. Since the rubbing occurs only when at full steering lock (which occurs infrequently, I'd hope), I'd just live with it. Some rubbing is highly likely when deviating from stock tires, wheels and suspension parts. I'd take rubbing the smooth, rounded sway bar any day over rubbing the sharp fender wells.
WHICH "HD sway bar" did you install? Did you compare the shape of the ends of the new bar with the old one? Is this a 1.25" Trans Am bar? If so, you need to use the Trans Am end links, not the Olds end links. Wheel spacers are a bad idea.
I'll try to answer all questions in this reply....
I went with a HD sway bar because after new front tires, new coil springs, new front shocks and everything else new in the front suspension, minus the sway bar, the car still felt like it had too much body roll for me. This HD sway bar took care of that. This is the comparison between the factory and the mfg's HD replacement sway bar.
As far as the wheel spacers, the more I read about them the more I agree that they are not the safe or correct fix for this.
I had looked at different rims to take care of the issue but I really like what I have, plus I could use that rim money to upgrade my front brakes to Wilwood discs - which would widen the track by .47" and that should take care of the issue. And since the disc upgrade was on my "To Do List", I just might do it sooner than later.
I appreciate everyone's input. Thanks!
Once I get the discs installed, I will post an update. It'll probably be a month or so before I can get to this project though.
