Early abody front sway bar install

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Slantsix64

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so, since I like to go fast and make turns I installed a front sway bar on my 1964 Dodge Dart. I used the kit from hellwig. On my 1964 dart I did not have the two holes next to the strutrods. But easy fix with a 13/32 drill bit did the trick. Install was a little tricky and the instructions/destructions did not really help. Anyways man what a difference my dart takes corners better than my brothers P.O.S 2011 Camery. Also hellwig has the worst customer service period. But worth it. :steering:
 
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I will be also using the Helleig early A sway bar on my 65 Dart. I do have the advantage of having 2 of the 3 Required mounting holes on each side already on my K Frame
 
I will be also using the Helleig early A sway bar on my 65 Dart. I do have the advantage of having 2 of the 3 Required mounting holes on each side already on my K Frame


Cool, just remember have the brackets on the k frame hand tight, then the middle clamps not even connected, then connected the sway bar bushings with that long bolt hand tight on both sides, lower the car and tighten it all down, then raise the car and bolt down the center clamps to the bracket, then finish by tighten the bracket all the way down on the k frame. Also add that white grease.
 
As soon as mine ships from jegs I'll be doing the same exact project. How did you end up deciding where to drill the holes in the k member? I know mine doesn't have it also a 64.I figured what I do was the same as I did on the rear it's just kind of eyeball it and get it as centered as possible.
 
Are you sure you haven't installed the bar upside down? Seems to me like the center should curve upwards over the radiator support to K frame brace, not down towards it.
 
It is upside down.
Also, the strut rod washers.....Most of the time I see them with the convex side facing out. What does it show in the service manual?
 
Also, the strut rod washers.....Most of the time I see them with the convex side facing out. What does it show in the service manual?

Factory washers used with OEM one-piece strut rod bushings were mounted convex side facing out. The ones here are mounted according to Moog instructions for their two piece bushings. Not to say the Moog bushings can't work with the washers turned around; a friend of mine insisted on mounting his that way.
 
Cool. I plan on getting one for the front of Vixen. I already got the rear one from a member here. It's an Addco. I want the matching Addco front one, but no one has it. I am hoping they are still making it.
 
I'll second the improved handling of adding a sway bar. Added a factory front bar to my used to be mine 69 Fury ragtop. Before adding the bar, taking turns in that land yacht felt like a 20ft cuddy cabin going a tanker swell at an angle in the Chesapeake Bay. Afterwards she was almost as smooth as a ski boat on a flat as glass lake.
 
Are you sure you haven't installed the bar upside down? Seems to me like the center should curve upwards over the radiator support to K frame brace, not down towards it.
That's the way it was in the manual and I tried it both ways flipping it over was impossible to get the sway bar bushings to connect.

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I'll second the improved handling of adding a sway bar. Added a factory front bar to my used to be mine 69 Fury ragtop. Before adding the bar, taking turns in that land yacht felt like a 20ft cuddy cabin going a tanker swell at an angle in the Chesapeake Bay. Afterwards she was almost as smooth as a ski boat on a flat as glass lake.
Hell yeah, I been driving taking turns all easy, biggest difference!
 
It is upside down.
Also, the strut rod washers.....Most of the time I see them with the convex side facing out. What does it show in the service manual?
If you see the manual picture the center of the sway bar is down then raises up, I had tried it both ways, it was impossible to have the sway bar bushings to connect.
 
As soon as mine ships from jegs I'll be doing the same exact project. How did you end up deciding where to drill the holes in the k member? I know mine doesn't have it also a 64.I figured what I do was the same as I did on the rear it's just kind of eyeball it and get it as centered as possible.
Yeah, I just mocked up the sway bar, then used some yellow paint with a q-tip to mark the spots to drill on the frame. When did you order the sway bar? Mine took 4 months to get to my house.
 
That's the way it was in the manual and I tried it both ways flipping it over was impossible to get the sway bar bushings to connect.

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OK, I see from the picture in the installation instructions that it's not bent the way I thought it was from looking at the top picture. And anyway, if you tried it both ways and it only fit one way, that pretty much answers the question.
 
OK, I see from the picture in the installation instructions that it's not bent the way I thought it was from looking at the top picture. And anyway, if you tried it both ways and it only fit one way, that pretty much answers the question.

Yeah, but man those instructions sucked. They need to update it with a longer sway bar bushing bolt, and stamp on the bar this side up. Etc.
 
By golly....I believe you just talked me into using a Helwig bar on my 65 Barracuda. Thanks for posting the pics and your installation experience.

:thumbsup:
 
If you see the manual picture the center of the sway bar is down then raises up, I had tried it both ways, it was impossible to have the sway bar bushings to connect.

ordered it a month ago, they say it will ship early oct
 
Yeah, but man those instructions sucked. They need to update it with a longer sway bar bushing bolt, and stamp on the bar this side up. Etc.
I find it rare to get instructions for anything that are well explained and detailed.
Garage door openers.
Ice makers in the freezer.
Aftermarket air conditioning systems for cars.
I've done all three and the instructions are written as if the installer has already done the job before.
I am not an idiot, yet I feel like one when steps are not spelled out and you have to fill in the gaps. Each time, there are NO leftover screws or nuts so I guess I did it right.
 
I find it rare to get instructions for anything that are well explained and detailed.
Garage door openers.
Ice makers in the freezer.
Aftermarket air conditioning systems for cars.
I've done all three and the instructions are written as if the installer has already done the job before.
I am not an idiot, yet I feel like one when steps are not spelled out and you have to fill in the gaps. Each time, there are NO leftover screws or nuts so I guess I did it right.
Hell yes!!!! You are completely right, they have to start from the mind set of not knowing and first time install.
 
It is upside down.
Also, the strut rod washers.....Most of the time I see them with the convex side facing out. What does it show in the service manual?
Factory strut rod bushings, convex side out, aftermarket bushings are usually convex side in against the bushing. Most of the aftermarket ones I've bought have "this side out" stamped right into the washer.
 
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