Roadkill's 1958 Cadillac

[Roadkill]

MINI-PROJECT

New shocks and springs fitted today.

She rides a bit smoother with no bangs or knocks.

Thanks to Graeme for the assist and use of speciality tools.

Tried to fit the new heavy duty sway bar and new Poly-bushes but the bar's different.



It's shorter . . see piccy's.



Front (passenger side)



Front (drivers side)



Rear (Passenger side)



Me, fighting with the last spring after the impact wrench's batteries gave up.



Rear (drivers side)



The incorrect Sway bar . . . The old bushes crumbled so I'm running without a sway bar at the moment !





Successful five hours, though . . . even if I'm now sway-bar-less.

[F Body]

Quoting: Roadkill

Me, fighting with the last spring after the impact wrench's batteries gave up.

I'm glad that didn't slip off .......ouch

[Roadkill]

Quoting: F Body

I'm glad that didn't slip off

Yeah, me too !

[sixpack2639]

Quoting: Roadkill

The incorrect Sway bar

Now that pisses me off!!!!!

That is SUPPOSED to be a direct replacement bar!!

Is there no way to make it fit???

[Roadkill]

Quoting: sixpack2639

Is there no way to make it fit???

No.  The existing chassis mounting brackets falls right before the bar bends and returns back to the links . . .

As you can see, the new bar is simply shorter . . . the bends happen about 1 1/2" 1 3/4" too early (3" - 3 1/2" short over all).

In other words, no.  It won't fit.  It's roughly the right profile . . . the straight centre section needs to be 3" longer or so.

[Roadkill]

Also.

I checked the number stamped on the bar but it didn't seem to correspond to any number or reference on their website . . .

[sixpack2639]

There are no part numbers listed on the web site.....I double checked it eariler today but that is the bar they list for '57-'60 Cadillac full size RWD.

They don't list a rear bar so it has to be the front.

What is the number stampped in the bar???

I'll give them a call and see what's up.

[Roadkill]

Quoting: sixpack2639

What is the number stampped in the bar???

I'll try to check first thing tomorrow morning . . . off to now . . .

[sixpack2639]

[Roadkill]

Numbers on the bar (stamped in the middle of the straight section) are 5011 2042.

The 2042 is also written in marker in the same area.

The bar is 1 1/8" (which is as per the website).

Links / bushes appear to be correct, also . . . but they're fairly generic AFAIK . .

[sixpack2639]

Right then, i'll give them a call as soon as I get a chance.

[Roadkill]

Roger that.  

[Roadkill]

Any news on this, Carl ?

[sixpack2639]

No, TBH I forgot to call the guy that handles these matters back. I called last Friday and he was out of his office I guess (I got his voice mail). I'll try to call tomorrow (today).

Sorry mate, I dropped the ball.

[Roadkill]

No problem, Mate.

When you've got the time's fine - she's parked up at the mo' now, anyway.

[Motorama]

I know it doesnt look the same on the floor but have you tried to fit it?

Maybe its supposed to be a bit smaller to firm the old girl up

[55starchief]

Quoting: Motorama

I know it doesnt look the same on the floor but have you tried to fit it?

Maybe its supposed to be a bit smaller to firm the old girl up

Yup no way will it fit mate, the swaybar mountings would be on the bend of the bar and if you try to remount them the chasis frame rail isnt there.

[Motorama]

Quoting: 55starchief

Yup no way will it fit mate, the swaybar mountings would be on the bend of the bar and if you try to remount them the chasis frame rail isnt there.

What a bummer, the only downside to ordering the bits from the States is when they are wrong its a real pain to get it sorted.

I guess if you have to refit the original with all new bushes etc it will still be a big improvement

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Motorama

I guess if you have to refit the original with all new bushes etc it will still be a big improvement

Yup, although the original is a silly diameter.  7/16" or something.

I need an uprated one as that's the only thing recommended to change when you go air-ride.

[sixpack2639]

Right then, Here's what PST had to say......

1) The bar must be installed with the vehicle standing on it's full weight as it "changes the geometry" if you have it jacked up in any way.

2) They have had reports that the bar is too short and when checked the bar meets specifications.

3) They recommend checking your frame rails to factory spec's and make sure your frame rails have not "spread out" from age if it still doesn't fit.

[55starchief]

lol if the frame rails have moved 2" each way he has bigger problems

[Motorama]

Quoting: sixpack2639

They recommend checking your frame rails to factory spec's and make sure your frame rails have not "spread out" from age if it still doesn't fit.

[Roadkill]

Quoting: sixpack2639

Right then, Here's what PST had to say......

That sounds like crap to me.

I'll investigate.  Have you referred them to the picture I've linked here ?

Maybe the chassis would flex 1/4" or so over 50 years of abuse, but not up to three inches !



I'll check my manual . . . it has a chassis lay-out and damage check measurements in there . . . .

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Roadkill

Have you referred them to the picture I've linked here ?

I can take a better one of each "back-to-back" to clarify the difference . . . .

[sixpack2639]

Quoting: Roadkill

That sounds like crap to me.

   My first thought also.

Quoting: Roadkill

Have you referred them to the picture I've linked here ?

Not yet....I wanted to make sure they don't have any more excuses first.