flat12boxer

Hey guys,

I called Sunset to buy some small odds and ends I need, and one of the things I need are new front swaybar bushings - the two that are on the actual middle part of the bar. I was going to probably pair these with the bolt on stabilizer brackets for the sway bar like Travis and paragon sell.

I know that they make a ton of bushings (5 sizes iirc) for our cars, sunset ran my VIN and they said they showed two of the sizes fit. They could not figure out which one. I have an '89 NA Auto and I don't have any fancy suspension like M030, just whatever was stock/genuine/original. Any way to tell or measure quickly? I'd like to get my order in.

While I am at it, should I do the rest of the fronts and rears, and if so, will they be the same "size" as the sway bar ones I need? Will those be difficult to install?

sharky47

I always had to measure them - most auto parts stores have inexpensive digital calipers - grab a set, you'll use the crap out of them....

admiralkhole

Yep, 20 bucks...mine has already paid for itself...I love that thing.

Oddjob

Fit the nearest metric wrench over the bar, and see which one fits. Or tighten a cresent wrench onto the bar, then measure the jaw gap. Then assume a little (fraction of a mm) for paint thickness.

Probably a 25.5mm bar, but you need to check.

Arominus

I would recommend the delrin centers if your doing the brackets, might as well go all the way and never worry about power steering fluid ruining the bushings again.

sharky47

I machined my own delrin inner bushings 5-6 years ago - still going strong......

flat12boxer

I was thinking about the delrins, but just need to replace one of the fronts due to some wear (had a small ps leak in storage). Since they are both original, I'll replace the pair because it's not an insane amount of work and the rubber is cheap enough for the moment. Then I can consider going through later and just replace the rest of the bushings all around F&R.

Is is a big job to do the rest of the bushings (other than the sway bars)? Do they do full delrin kits, or has anyone gone with a poly or more sporty bushing set?

sharky47

Not sure if I'd want Delrin all the way around....

I did just rebuild the control arms in my '83 with poly bushings meant for a VW. Havn't driven it yet (clutch is next, waiting in line for the lift....) so I don't have anything to report other than they fit well and went together smoothly.

flat12boxer

Ah. So delrin is mainly for stability in the sway bars and resistance to any possible leaks that could drip/run down to that area of the suspension?

Arominus

Correct, I did rubber on the ends of the sway bar and rubber elsewhere in the suspension, the goal by going delrin here is to keep the sway bar in place so that it works more effectively. With the braces you put more load into the stock rubber ones and they deflect more. At $30 a set the delrins are only a little more expensive than a set of stock bushing and last much much longer. Its the way to go.

flat12boxer

Ok so you sold me on delrins for the front bar. Are there any delrins to get for the rear to compensate for the fronts and the braces I will add?