Topic: New GXP/Z0K sway bar part number

[lil goat]

Do you think? Trying to stop you from doing the sit and spin hot rod, even if that was your best time. I am thinking maybe the balance is off a bit with just the rear one because now both are the same size, even with the Z0K setup and the stock front the front is still bigger, as it is on most cars, with the HP you have you can use all the help you can get.

[DCLocal]

The replacement bushings are not specific for our cars, we know the Energy Suspension 34mm 2005 Mustang bushings work with the stock brackets. Beyond that it is just a shot in the dark, 1 5/16" is very close to 33-34 mm and there are some greasable ones that MAY work, yet to be seen, someone can take a shot for $20 and find out that is how I found the Mustang ones that work, first set I bought didn't they are now paperweights. The Prothane 19-1180 is a geaseable 1 5/16" bracket and bushing it might be the solution to the squeak problem, I may order a set to see if they work. By the way while you are Jegs get one of these, everyone needs one JEGS #555-80580 - JEGS Lug Torque Wrench
(Image removed from quote.)

The bushings for the front are according to GM 33 mm, SOB measured them and they were 33.2 mm and the aftermarket 33 mm bushings were 32 mm, they were to tight. Jegs carries the Energy Suspension 34 mm 2005 Mustang bushing that fits perfectly but is not greasable as you use the stock brackets, they also carry the Prothane 34 mm 2005 Mustang 34 mm front sway bar bushing that does come with a bracket, or so the website says, they are not greaseable either.  Both do how ever have grease groves on the inside of the bushing where the stock ones are smooth, these are supposed to help keep the grease in the bushing to prevent squeak, do they work? Don't know yet I have the Energy Suspension on my car. The sway bars are not that hard to change, I can help you. You just need the right tools, jack stands, 18 mm ratchet boxend wrench or open end socket wrench and a 6 mm allen on a 3/8 drive ratchet makes it easier. It helps to have 2 jacks as well. I do know someone who needs your old front sway bar as he already has the GXP rear bar on his NA, I am sure he could be enlisted to help as well.

Thank you for all the information.  I'm all for trying out new bushing I'm just afraid of having to turn around and swap them out.  I don't have tools and rather not build a collection as I live in a condo and my building prohibits any kind of work on vehicles.  As it is, I had to explain myself for simply installing a kappashield in my garage... 

What have most folks done that replaced the front bar done, used stock?

I do know someone who needs your old front sway bar as he already has the GXP rear bar on his NA, I am sure he could be enlisted to help as well.

Critter, my FF3 bar(s) are yours if you like once I get the ZOks are installed so I'll keep you posted.

[lil goat]

You can reuse the stock front bushings with the Z0K bar they are the same on the front, not on the rear. You will either need the GM ones from the dealer for the rear or you can get the Energy Suspension 27 mm with grease fittings, I know they fit I have them on my car. Like I said I will help you, not a big deal I have the tools. My place is not the best place to do it in winter, it can get cold and wet, but we can find a place. I have a covered garage at work in Reston if we are quiet and fast. I am pretty sure I will end up helping put Critters on too, so you guys pick a place and a time when you get the parts. (I would certainly take a chance on the Prothane greasable ones for the front $20, just to be able to lube them, you could always use the stock ones if they don't fit)

[DCLocal]

Before I place the order I want to confirm 19-1180-BL - Prothane Greaseable Sway Bar Bushings, shown on Jegs as Style B, is this correct?
http://www.jegs.com/i/Prothane/311/19-1180-BL/10002/-1#

Also, do I need to order the Super Lube Synthetic Grease With PTFE Teflon too?
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-Oz-Tube-ptfe/dp/B000XBH9HI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1257210858&sr=8-2

Thank you-

[lil goat]

That is the right bushing number, I think. Nobody has tried them yet. They come with grease packs, or at least the energy suspension ones do. I have some grease as well, your call on that.

[kennysabarese]

Hey guys, I've had Z0K bars on my RL for a while now, when I ordered I got the front bar rear bar and one pair of new rubber bushings, but no clamps. Everything fit fine.

Then I'm seeing that there are supposed to be different clamps. Did I miss something?

[lil goat]

The factory rear bar is 26 mm, the Z0K is 27 mm you should be able to use the rear brackets if you got new bushings the stock ones would be a bit tight, the front bars are the same size. You can upgrade the bushings to polyurethane if you want, you don't have to. I upgraded all mine to poly. The rear are greasable, have a zerk fitting. The front I have use the stock brackets and are not greasable, if they squeak they are coming off and getting replaced with the greasable ones listed above. I mainly did the front with poly because I did not change the bar, tightened things up a bit. The factory front bushings are pretty thick so I doubt they have much give, but they are not grooved inside to allow for a grease channel, to me $15 for no damn squeak is a no brainer.

[wspohn]

The stock factory rear bushes work fine with the very slightly larger rear bar because they are compliant rubber.  If you go to hard bushes then you'd need to get an exact dimensional fit.

[DCLocal]

That is the right bushing number, I think. Nobody has tried them yet. They come with grease packs, or at least the energy suspension ones do. I have some grease as well, your call on that.

Order placed, ships in 6 days so now the wait...

The factory front bushings are pretty thick so I doubt they have much give, but they are not grooved inside to allow for a grease channel, to me $15 for no damn squeak is a no brainer.

No kidding and wouldn't you know, this morning my squeak is back... so annoying!

[ShopGMaccessories]

I just received a ton of the ZOK front sway bars from GM. If your looking for one still hit me up.

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/store/Solstice-ZOK-Stabilizer-Bar-Front-25919109-P2438C180.aspx

[lil goat]

I have no squeak yet from the poly bushings, but they were greased fairly recently, let's hope if nothing else this is a cheap and easy solution to the damn squeak.

[kennysabarese]

Nice! I'm much more likely to go with this now.

[snaponbob]

Over on the BB or Sky forum CED posted that they just received a BUNCH of Z0K sway bars back in to stock.

[DCLocal]

Order placed, ships in 6 days so now the wait...
No kidding and wouldn't you know, this morning my squeak is back... so annoying!

So much for 6 days... between being out of stock, a lost order and vacation, I arrived home to find my bushings have arrived. 

Critter, do you still want a rear or both GXP bars and are you and Goat up for the swap?

Happy New Year all!

[lil goat]

I am just a volunteer, I will still help. I know Critter only needs the front bar maybe another Slostice (NA) is coming to the mod meet that wants the rear bar.

I ordered the Prothane greasable bushing's for the front about 2 weeks ago, they have not shown up yet. I want to check them out, the Energy Suspension bushings only are working fine but use the stock brackets so you have to pop them off to grease them. I ordered the Red Line power steering fluid at the same time to save on shipping, that has arrived. I will post a picture when the Prothanes get here.

[smartin]

Could you repost the part or point me in the right direction for the front sway bar bushings for an NA? Thanks.

[lil goat]

Could you repost the part or point me in the right direction for the front sway bar bushings for an NA? Thanks.

Chopped Liver, I have a set on order that I think will be the right ones, but I have not placed my grubby little hands on them yet so I am not absolutely sure. You need the brackets as well, they are supposed to be included, the last set I ordered were supposed to include the brackets but did not, they were the right bushings though.

This is what I ordered Prothane #311-19-1180 from Jegs the Prothane number is the same without the 311 in front.
This is what they are supposed to be 1 5/16" or 34mm
Greaseable sway bar bushings utilize zerk fittings along with specially designed grease grooves that will allow grease to contact all inner bushing surfaces without taking anything apart! This cutting edge design will greatly improve serviceability and help to eliminate the possibility of squeaking. Two mounting styles are available (see diagrams). Sold in pairs.

[smartin]

Thanks, LG . . . TC . . . JG . . .  or whomever you are!

[Critterman]

He who used to be known as.......is correct I need the front bar, and if he finally got the right bushings, I will then need to order those.

When do you guys want to do the changeout?

[smartin]

Me too.

[DCLocal]

Anytime on the weekends is best for me but can do week day with advanced notice.  Below are the bushings; do I need to get grease and if so what kind?

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[lil goat]

Yes those look like the correct bushings, I just got an email mine should be here today or tomorrow.

Yes you will need grease eventually, they usually come with a small grease pack I have a tube I got from amazon Super Lube, it is synthetic and pretty cheap . I am busy this weekend, and next weekend I will be doing a GTO clutch so that one is pretty well shot. Someone needs to figure out a place IT'S FRICKIN COLD OUT THERE! It's not hard to do, just need a good jack and some jack stands and a few hand tools

[smartin]

We could wait until SMMM7.

[lil goat]

In this weather we may need to wait, Joe has a shiny new jack. The good news is that the sway bar bushings come with the brackets, see posted picture. I need to look and see if the are correct but from the picture they look good, and they have grease fittings so no more damn squeak!

[DCLocal]

SMMM7 may be the way to go; I'm flexible either way.  As far a grease, none was included with mine but the plastic in the middle of the bushing was open and inside was a large Styro peanut floating around so maybe there was a grease pack in there at one time.  

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