sway bar question

[rrubel]

Anyone know what diameter OEM sway bars were available in/around 86? I was planning on buying a used set of Z51 bars from another 86 that are supposed to be 30mm front, 22mm rear. However, while measuring my original bars for a set of poly bushings, it appeared that I *already* had a 22mm rear bar. As well, the lady at Suspension Restoration listed at least four different sizes that were supposed to be stock for my model year. I know I don't have the Z51 setup, though I did have the delco-bilstein shock option. Did that come with the larger bars as well, or might I have a swapped bar already, or did I just mis-measure (did the sizing same way I always do - pair of vice grips set to the size of the bar and measured across).

Before I go ripping apart my rear suspension to replace something that's already there, I'd love to hear some comments.

Thanks...

[RICHR]

 

[hoosier]

Sway Bars

Hi Rich,
According to Spec. sheet that I have the front had either a 26mm hollow for the base suspension or a 30mm solid for the Z-51
The rear had a 22mm hollow with base and a 22mm solid bar with the Z-51 .


Barry

 

[rrubel]

Oh ho. Hollow vs solid. Makes sense now why the sizes are the same.

Thanks.
[RICHR]

 

[Hib Halverson]

The OE rear bar on an 86 should be 20mm, however, with a car that old, it's very possible that a previous owner changed the rear bar.

Now that you have evidence of a mismatch, you need to measure the front bar and get the codes of the springs to see what you have, before you make modifications.

Note that putting Z51 bars on a car with base springs will make the car handle worse, not better. To use the bigger Z51 bars, especially the 30mm front bar, you need the springs to.

If you add just the bars, the car will understeer badly.

 

[rrubel]

Oh, now THAT'S good to know. I was planning on not installing the springs because I didn't want to make the ride too harsh. My goal was to improve turn-in and keep the wheels flatter to the ground while removing some of the lean the car's picked up as it's aged. The poly bushings hopefully will take care of MOST of that, but I wanted more. I know upgrading the rear bar in my Legacy Outback and GT made a huge difference in handling, but these cars were designed to understeer at the limits - changing out the rear bar (and doing poly bar bushings at all four corners) made the OB almost perfectly neutral and the GT (no bushings) only mildly understeer.

Maybe I'll skip the new bars and go with an RD Racing Camber Brace for the front instead.

Thanks.
[RICHR]

 

[fastglass95]

Maybe I'll skip the new bars and go with an RD Racing Camber Brace for the front instead.
[RICHR]

Not a bad idea going with the "Camber Brace"

But, Sway bars are pretty inexpensive and easy to install.
Not a bad idea trying a bigger bar and see what you think, you can always go back to stock if you don't like it! Then put the bar for sale in the classifieds section!

Poly bushing DO make a differnce, not as much as a bigger bar, but noticable.

Don't be afraid to experiment, "It's only money, Honey"

 

[rrubel]

Well, I passed on the Z51 bars. My front is 26mm (hollow, I think, looking at the bar end) and the rear is 22mm. Some of the bushings were totally shot, so I'm slowly replacing them with urethane (did almost the front and the rear except for the end links). Already makes a noticeable difference, probably more than enough for me.
[RICHR]