dave ellis
Well-Known Member
Does anyone make metal bushings for sway bar and links? Also what can you tell me about drag links and panhard bars?
I don't think anyone makes metal sway bar bushings, but I could be wrong. Polyurethane/ Polygraphite bushings or other stiff material is the best way to go I believe. Sway bars do need to move/flex a little. I also think metal bushings for the sway bars would be very noisy. Drag links or center links connect the pitman & idler arms to the tie rods & have no bushings, but I've seen center links made out of very light & very strong material to save weight for drag cars. The only bushing there may be, is at the point where the idler arm attaches to the "K" frame of the car, depending on what you have. Not all cars have the bushings between the idler arm & "K" frame. As far as Panhard bars go, I don't think ANY old Mopars have them & I think they are used mainly in coil spring & independent rear suspensions. I also believe they help locate the rear axle on these cars. But the stiffer you make the moving suspension pieces, I.E., control arm bushings, sway bar bushings etc, the better your car will handle. Fender bracing, chassis stiffening (frame rail connectors etc.) will improve any flexing on the car & that equals better handling. Just remember to put the full weight of the car on the wheels before tightening any suspension components so they don't bind up. Hope this helps somewhat.
Chryslers with the short, stiff front section on the leaf spring don't need a Panhard bar like brand x stuff with symmetrical leaf springs. As for sway bar end links, poly is good, but you can also use Heim joints. Some modern cars also use a ball joint type link. I've got a couple out in my pile of parts that may get used on something.
Which do you have in your pile of parts? I'm unfamiliar with the heim one. If you would can you get me pictures? Thanks, Dave
Something like these?Chryslers with the short, stiff front section on the leaf spring don't need a Panhard bar like brand x stuff with symmetrical leaf springs. As for sway bar end links, poly is good, but you can also use Heim joints. Some modern cars also use a ball joint type link. I've got a couple out in my pile of parts that may get used on something.
Something like these?
View attachment 1715968695
View attachment 1715968696
I shortened mine though.....
View attachment 1715968697
View attachment 1715968698
I just cut a section out of the middle of them with a grinder wheel and MIG welded them back together. I took a flat file and a flapper disc to clean up the welds, then sandblasted them to restore the rough cast finish.
I'd have to measure them but if I recall, I took about an inch out of the middle.