Sway Bar Hits OIL Pan!!

87StangGT · October 30th, 2009, 05:40 PM

Help!! Just recently bought a 1987 GT. It was lowered by previous owner. Well just recently I had it up on jacks to change the oil and noticed a dent in the front of the oil pan. At first I couldnt see what would of caused this but as i lowered it off the jacks you can see the sway bar getting closer to the oil pan. when its all the way down the sway bar sits about an inch or less away fron the pan. And when driving any bump you hit you can feel the bar smavk into the oil pan. Anyone ever heard of this? how can i fix this??

87StangGT · October 30th, 2009, 06:24 PM

hey does anyone have an answer to this???

mxnate116 · October 30th, 2009, 06:28 PM

different length sway bar end links?

89Fox351 · October 30th, 2009, 07:27 PM

i've never heard of a problem like this.. but then again, this IS the internet, and someone had to have had this problem before.. is there a way to put a spacer where the end links bolt to the frame? or is there not enough thread

86_Notch · October 30th, 2009, 07:56 PM

step 1 . . Remove sway bar
step 2. . Place into the nearest trash can
step 3. . Enjoy better 60' times

jessemachone · October 30th, 2009, 07:58 PM

cut down your end link spacers and install shorter bolts.

87StangGT · October 30th, 2009, 10:19 PM

How sloppy will it handle with out the sway bar? I was thinking of putting a 2 inch spacer in between the bushings where it attaches to the frame rail. You think that would work? Do they sell any kits for this? Ive looked all over the internet about this problem but no real answers on how to fix it. Also when you say cut down the end links, do they sell shorter bolts instead of cutting them?

xof014 · October 30th, 2009, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by 86_Notch

step 1 . . Remove sway bar
step 2. . Place into the nearest trash can
step 3. . Enjoy better 60' times

+1

mxnate116 · October 31st, 2009, 01:39 AM

Originally Posted by 86_Notch

step 1 . . Remove sway bar
step 2. . Place into the nearest trash can
step 3. . Enjoy better 60' times

thats a big trash can

flyin ryan · October 31st, 2009, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by 86_Notch

step 1 . . Remove sway bar
step 2. . Place into the nearest trash can
step 3. . Enjoy better 60' times

That will help your 60 foot but if your not a quarter mile guy then I wouldn't use this method as a perminent fix. A street car without vs with is a sloppy driver. I speak from experience, it's not as bad as you would think but it's sloppy. My turbo car has no front swaybar but my na car does and it's night and day difference on the street.

I can't really help with the swaybar hitting the oil pan issue never encountered that myself but that car must be slammed.

93hatch · October 31st, 2009, 02:44 AM

agreed driving without it sucks if you dont drive like a grandma

jessemachone · October 31st, 2009, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by 87StangGT

How sloppy will it handle with out the sway bar? I was thinking of putting a 2 inch spacer in between the bushings where it attaches to the frame rail. You think that would work? Do they sell any kits for this? Ive looked all over the internet about this problem but no real answers on how to fix it. Also when you say cut down the end links, do they sell shorter bolts instead of cutting them?

Yeah, got to auto zone and just ask to see their grade 8 hareware. (probably don't need to be grade 8 but they will get you going in the right direction) They may also have universal end links there which may be appropriate for your application. If you lowered your car 1.5 inches in the front, try to find a set that is 1.5 inches shorter.

86_Notch · October 31st, 2009, 10:28 AM

i don't have any problems driving without a sway bar. Althoto be fair i've grown up driving cars from the 70s with big blocks and drum brakes all around , so a mustang with drag suspension and stock brakes drives and stops like a slot car to me

87StangGT · November 1st, 2009, 11:23 AM

Thanks for all your advice. I just decided to just remove the sway bar. It handles not that bad. With it having a 2 1/2 inch drop it handles pretty well without the sway bar. ill save the sway bar if down the road i decide to re install it. Thanks again.

laztug · November 1st, 2009, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by 86_Notch

i don't have any problems driving without a sway bar. Althoto be fair i've grown up driving cars from the 70s with big blocks and drum brakes all around , so a mustang with drag suspension and stock brakes drives and stops like a slot car to me

ReverendDexter · November 1st, 2009, 11:27 AM

If you ever do decide to reinstall it, you can get adjustable length swaybar endlinks. The drop part of the swaybar should be vertical with the car at resting ride height.

You only need the front bar if you don't have enough roll stiffness up front. If you're dropped and on stiff springs, I'd suggest trying a 4-cylinder sway bar before putting your GT bar back on.

89Fox351 · November 1st, 2009, 10:28 PM

maybe i'm just being a newb.. but wouldn't a strut tower brace kind of half-a$$ replace a front sway bar?? kinda like a quick fix

ReverendDexter · November 2nd, 2009, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by 89Fox351

maybe i'm just being a newb.. but wouldn't a strut tower brace kind of half-a$$ replace a front sway bar?? kinda like a quick fix

Not even. They do two entirely different things.

October 30th, 2009, 05:40 PM	#1
87StangGT Regular 1987 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 131 iTrader: 0 reviews	Sway Bar Hits OIL Pan!! Help!! Just recently bought a 1987 GT. It was lowered by previous owner. Well just recently I had it up on jacks to change the oil and noticed a dent in the front of the oil pan. At first I couldnt see what would of caused this but as i lowered it off the jacks you can see the sway bar getting closer to the oil pan. when its all the way down the sway bar sits about an inch or less away fron the pan. And when driving any bump you hit you can feel the bar smavk into the oil pan. Anyone ever heard of this? how can i fix this??

October 30th, 2009, 06:28 PM	#3
mxnate116 Hardcore Enthusiast 88 mustang GT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 2,883 iTrader: 1 reviews	different length sway bar end links? __________________

October 30th, 2009, 07:27 PM	#4
89Fox351 Newbie 1989 GT 393 Stroker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 42 iTrader: 0 reviews	i've never heard of a problem like this.. but then again, this IS the internet, and someone had to have had this problem before.. is there a way to put a spacer where the end links bolt to the frame? or is there not enough thread __________________ So let me get this straight... my mountain dew has more liters than your import?

October 30th, 2009, 07:56 PM	#5
86_Notch Hardcore Enthusiast 1986 lx notch 9.98 @ 135 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,421 iTrader: 0 reviews	step 1 . . Remove sway bar step 2. . Place into the nearest trash can step 3. . Enjoy better 60' times __________________ " Spending money I don't have.... on things I don't need .... to impress people I don't know " .

October 31st, 2009, 02:44 AM	#11
93hatch Banned 1992 Lx 11.39@119.24 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Az Posts: 11,665 iTrader: 0 reviews	agreed driving without it sucks if you dont drive like a grandma __________________ [QUOTE=93mustank;2577445]We speed tested my right arm for quickness in shifts... So he could design the cam for proper shift recovery.[/QUOTE]

October 30th, 2009, 06:24 PM	#2
87StangGT Regular 1987 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 131 iTrader: 0 reviews	hey does anyone have an answer to this???

October 30th, 2009, 07:58 PM	#6
jessemachone The Big Spoon 88 5.0 5 Speed Notch <>< never fast enough Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PHL -> PHX Posts: 2,999 iTrader: 0 reviews	cut down your end link spacers and install shorter bolts.

October 30th, 2009, 10:19 PM	#7
87StangGT Regular 1987 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 131 iTrader: 0 reviews	How sloppy will it handle with out the sway bar? I was thinking of putting a 2 inch spacer in between the bushings where it attaches to the frame rail. You think that would work? Do they sell any kits for this? Ive looked all over the internet about this problem but no real answers on how to fix it. Also when you say cut down the end links, do they sell shorter bolts instead of cutting them?

October 31st, 2009, 10:28 AM	#13
86_Notch Hardcore Enthusiast 1986 lx notch 9.98 @ 135 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,421 iTrader: 0 reviews	i don't have any problems driving without a sway bar. Althoto be fair i've grown up driving cars from the 70s with big blocks and drum brakes all around , so a mustang with drag suspension and stock brakes drives and stops like a slot car to me __________________ " Spending money I don't have.... on things I don't need .... to impress people I don't know " .

November 1st, 2009, 11:23 AM	#14
87StangGT Regular 1987 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 131 iTrader: 0 reviews	Thanks for all your advice. I just decided to just remove the sway bar. It handles not that bad. With it having a 2 1/2 inch drop it handles pretty well without the sway bar. ill save the sway bar if down the road i decide to re install it. Thanks again.

November 1st, 2009, 11:27 AM	#16
ReverendDexter Priest of the Car Gods Clapped-out '90 GT 'vert ~5.5 seconds off TTOD :( Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 13,233 iTrader: 0 reviews	If you ever do decide to reinstall it, you can get adjustable length swaybar endlinks. The drop part of the swaybar should be vertical with the car at resting ride height. You only need the front bar if you don't have enough roll stiffness up front. If you're dropped and on stiff springs, I'd suggest trying a 4-cylinder sway bar before putting your GT bar back on. __________________ O o /¯/______________________ \|BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!! \_\ Buy my Bronco, special deal for MM folks

November 1st, 2009, 10:28 PM	#17
89Fox351 Newbie 1989 GT 393 Stroker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 42 iTrader: 0 reviews	maybe i'm just being a newb.. but wouldn't a strut tower brace kind of half-a$$ replace a front sway bar?? kinda like a quick fix __________________ So let me get this straight... my mountain dew has more liters than your import?

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