Thanks for your quick reply.
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Interested in rear swaybar for Bolt?
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Add me to that list. I've spoken with a friend about machining some based on the plans here but haven't progressed yet. Sure would be nice to have the sway bar in place once autocross resumes.
I installed my sway bar! I'm very happy with the results. I didn't use machined adapters though.
I was able to get quotes on adapters from two smaller local machine shops, and both quoted $200 to $220 for the set of four, in aluminum. But I was having trouble cracking open my wallet far enough to basically double the cost of a $200-ish sway bar in order to install it.
I had considered simply cutting and drilling steel plates or large washers to clamp the bar to the D-shaped hole in the spring perch. This would securely attach the bar to each trailing arm, but without the machined adapter to position the bolt within the larger D-hole it felt sloppy.
I did end up doing that, but with the addition of 3D-printed inserts to go inside each D-hole. These don't serve any structural purpose (the steel plates still tightly clamp the bar to the lower spring perch) but they do accurately position each bolt within larger D-hole.
I've driven it thus equipped for only 20 miles so far, but am very pleased with the better turn-in and better grip (even with the stock tires).
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I was able to get quotes on adapters from two smaller local machine shops, and both quoted $200 to $220 for the set of four, in aluminum. But I was having trouble cracking open my wallet far enough to basically double the cost of a $200-ish sway bar in order to install it.
I had considered simply cutting and drilling steel plates or large washers to clamp the bar to the D-shaped hole in the spring perch. This would securely attach the bar to each trailing arm, but without the machined adapter to position the bolt within the larger D-hole it felt sloppy.
I did end up doing that, but with the addition of 3D-printed inserts to go inside each D-hole. These don't serve any structural purpose (the steel plates still tightly clamp the bar to the lower spring perch) but they do accurately position each bolt within larger D-hole.
I've driven it thus equipped for only 20 miles so far, but am very pleased with the better turn-in and better grip (even with the stock tires).
Thanks Colt Hero... I think it shouldn't be a problem because the bolt is tightened securely using steel plates at the top and bottom of the D-hole, which should hold the bolt stationary relative to the trailing arm, without putting any pressure on the plastic spacer. So the bolt should not move relative to the plastic spacer, and indeed the bolt should not be putting any pressure on the plastic spacer either since the bolt is held securely to the trailing arm via the steel plates. The plastic spacer is really only there for initial positioning of the bolt during installation, before the bolt is torqued. After that, the spacer is just "along for the ride".
I made these a while back on a 3D printer to ensure they fit correctly... and then I had planned on either doing them on a mini CNC machine we got in at work as my training part... or on a lathe and finished on the end mill. Never did get around to having time to do either... so I asked a buddy to machine them up for me. 303 stainless, done on a really nice lathe with live tooling and y axis. I also had sent the CAD file around to some local machine centers... I was quoted $150 - $250 in 303 stainless and $125 - $175 in 6061 aluminum. I opted for the 303 as I didn't want to deal with surface oxidation on the 6061 or the need to protect them. Granted I could have probably got away with some paint as enough protection without having to anodize them.
Installed the Cruze rear sway today. As simple as an install get thanks to Zbrown's drawings and the guy who machined the bushings. Absolutely spot on fitment.
Also picked up a set of Cruze 16x6.5 wheels for some autocross tires. Time to decide on tires and then wait for our next event.
Also picked up a set of Cruze 16x6.5 wheels for some autocross tires. Time to decide on tires and then wait for our next event.
Installed my bar yesterday... easy as can get. The dimensions are spot on as were the machined parts from my buddy. He has a second set on hand (he didn't offset the hole to each side the first attempt, so I had four all the same... made 4 with the offset the other way to make two complete sets).
He's willing to make these for people, so if you're on the fence, don't know where to go to get the adapters made, or whatever let me know and I'll pass on his contact information. I don't want to put it public here as he'll get requests for years when people run across this thread.
I could not find 9/16" hardware, so I went with 14 mm which were easy to pick up at the local hardware store around the corner. Used some blue loctite as well.
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He's willing to make these for people, so if you're on the fence, don't know where to go to get the adapters made, or whatever let me know and I'll pass on his contact information. I don't want to put it public here as he'll get requests for years when people run across this thread.
I could not find 9/16" hardware, so I went with 14 mm which were easy to pick up at the local hardware store around the corner. Used some blue loctite as well.
41 - 60 of 213 Posts
