rmpitzer

iTrader: (5)

I crawled under by car (1997 Trans Am) to change the steering rack today, and discovered my front sway bar was broken. Not the end link, the bar itself. It broke on the outside edge of the K member bushing/bracket.

I've never heard of a sway bar breaking before. Is this not uncommon? Any suggestions for a replacement? I am leary of getting a junkyard bar if it might break too.

-Rich

BMR Tech2

iTrader: (5)

The front bars have be known to break. It is not a very common problem but it does happen. If its in your budget consider upgrading to an aftermarket sway bar. If you do go with aftermarket bars it would be best to do both front and rear to get the best performance. If thats not possible you can just do the front then do the rear later. Our 32mm front bar is 40% stronger than the factory 30mm bar and will be a bit strong for the stock 19mm rear. Our rear bar is 22mm and is a great match to our front bar. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Can happen, not often but it does.

Replacement? Well, if you aren't looking for any help on the performance side--just go back to a junkyard one, it's not a common thing for them to break.

If you are looking for performance stepping up to an aftermarket bar (better a matched set of bars) is the way to go. Unlike most, my bars are hollow which saves a significant amount of weight (can be over 20 pounds vs. solid bars). In comparison to 32/22 bars the savings is on the order of about 15 pounds in total, and you actually end up with less weight than stock as the stock rear bar is solid. And the rear bar weight is unsprung weight as well, and getting rid of some of that makes the car's rear suspension work better because it's less mass that has to deal with bumps.

I don't know you need or want different bars. But they are easy to install, come with all new hardware, bushings, and grease... and flatten the car out a ton. My front bar is 35mm, not 32 and as such is a good bit stiffer. My rear bar is 22mm not 25mm as most sets that use a big front bar include. Why are my bars sized that way? Because I turn corners, and that's the combination of bars that has proven out over the years to be the best balanced setup for stability and handling.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Mine was broken too. I just swapped it with one from a Z28 from another member here.

xXxSilveradoxXx

iTrader: (5)

I have Strano's sway bars on my WS.6 and I highly recommend them.

Cold Zero

iTrader: (1)

I'm suggesting the chrome moly ones from Spohn.net

I really like the difference after lowering my car ..

jimbo98z

iTrader: (3)

I have the same bars and love them. A lot of people will swear by Sam's stuff too.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Imagine what an even stiffer, and lighter 10+ pounds lighter front bar would do? How about a rear bar about as stiff, but roughly 7 pounds lighter....

Chrome-Moly here saves you no weight, CM is not lighter than mild steel. The way CM parts are lighter is by using thinner wall tubing on tubular parts due to increased strength. These bars are solid, don't let the chrome-moly name lull you into thinking they are the cat's ***. FWIW with our new production mine are too, but since it doesn't matter (or shouldn't) I don't push it. Maybe I should.....

7camaro7

iTrader: (15)

I have an SS/ws6 sway bar is you want it. It came off of my '02 SS. Its already boxed up and ready to go. Mine is a 32mm gm hollow bar which will also match your stock 19mm rear. Mine is a simple bolt on and go with the benefit of being better than what came on your car. PM me if you want it.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

That's a great offer, and 7camaro7 is 100% correct a 32/19 combo is a great balanced setup, just about 30% softer at both ends than my 35/22 combination but balanced very similarly.

If you don't want to step up I'd take him up on it.

7camaro7

iTrader: (15)

How so? GM put this combo together on some cars from the factory. SS/ws6/older 1LEs. They were some of the better handling cars of the group.and if you've got some cash...(even if you don't) I suggest you saving up to get Sam's setup like I did lol

rmpitzer

iTrader: (5)

I appreciate the advice. I ordered an aftermarket front bar.

7camaro7

iTrader: (15)

Even if you sent the ordered one back, ate restocking and shipping fees, and ordered mine, I bet mine would come out way cheaper.

Little known fact... some of these, "aftermarket bars," are remanufactured(used) gm bars with some nice red paint.

my bar is in great condition, btw. I'd take $80 shipped to your door.

rmpitzer

iTrader: (5)

PM sent

JamRWS6

Who?

7camaro7

iTrader: (15)

I tried to look it up again and searched my favorites and everything. There were a lot of broken links. I read it within the last year. Anyways, I went with a Strano setup with my bars. Why would I buy another 32mm anyway if it came on my car stock? That was way before I bought my new ones. Google it, I'm sure you will find it.

Also, ask your self... Why would the aftermarket make something(32mm sway bars) that you can easily get at the dealership? Aftermarket is usually for stuff you can't get there.

btw, I want an answer from bmr on what I said on post #11...

transwiz

iTrader: (26)

If you are short on cash buy the one that 7camaro7 is selling.If you can swing it and want some bars that are way better, go with the Strano hollow set.That is what I have on my t/a and those babys are worth it big time.They make my car handle great.Ask anybody with the Strano sway bars and they really like them.
______________________________
2000 t/a ws6 with lots of mods

JD_AMG

They do it because most companies don't do any real "track testing" on their products. They look at the base Z28 which comes with a 30mm front/19mm rear, assume its balanced, so they bump up both sized 2mm to 32/22 just to get less body roll, again assuming its balanced but don't actually bother trying other sizes (otherwise they would know that its not as balanced as, say a 35/22 set). Sure they might drive the car around to test the actual bar itself, but not to test how its balanced.

This is just another reason I buy from strano, hes personally tried it all and has designed his suspension ground up for handling with his experience.

Don't count on them answering anything technical about handling...

rmpitzer

iTrader: (5)

I took 7camaro7 up on his offer (thanks man). Now I need to get the end links. Where should I get those? Are the Auto Zone links ok? Or are they as crappy as most of the stuff they sell??

99 6 speed

I got a set of MOOG from O'reilly's when I replaced my coil-overs. I think they were $15.