Sway bar interference

[jcsb]

Installed a 7/8" sway bar that I bought from Victoria British and while I had the shock valving out I moved the suspension up and noticed the sway bar was hitting the front bumper mount when pushed up past level. Yes the bar is centralized and it appears the former owner had installed a new bumper and mounts. Anyone else run into a similar problem? Photo shown is when the suspension is fully extended down.
John

 

[Randy Forbes]

Are you using the stock links (between the A-arm and swaybar)? Because in the picture, the end isn't shown, and looks to be pretty close to the A-arm...

Longer/adjustable links could be substituted, and I recommend urethane bushes, as the (lousy) reproduction rubber bushes will have a very short life

 

[jcsb]

Randy,
The urethane bushings and links came with the sway bar.
John

 

[Randy Forbes]

Yeah, those are too short! If your originals are stll usable, put the new bushes/washers on them and see how that fits. If the fit is good, replace them if necessary, and you're set.

I'd let VB know about the wrong parts being supplied.

 

[jcsb]

Done.
John

 

[HealeyRick]

See Chris Dimmock's site for discussion of the same problem: https://www.myaustinhealey.com/austin_healey_technical_articles.html

 

[jcsb]

See Chris Dimmock's site for discussion of the same problem: https://www.myaustinhealey.com/austin_healey_technical_articles.html

Rick,
Thanks, that is precisely what it is doing.
John

 

[steveg]

Peter Roses supplies this photo of the VB bar with 6-1/2" link bolt substituted. A longer tube spacer was fitted in the center.

 

[jcsb]

Yep, longer bolt and spacer should be here today.
John

 

[steveg]

Yep, longer bolt and spacer should be here today.
John

FWIW - an original link measures 6" overall length; the spacer section measures 2".

 

[John Turney]

The arms of the sway bar should be parallel to the ground when the front suspension is at rest with the tires on the ground. I used 5 1/2" bolts and 1/8" galvanized pipe for the tube. 2" for the tube sounds about right.