One of my major concerns this winter
was to improve the handling of the Sport Fury. During the general restoration
a couple of years ago, all the ball joints and bushings had been replaced,
all the hangers had been reworked and the caster and chamber were readjusted.
Nevertheless in harsh curves the body “rolled” very strongly
and sometimes it almost pulled me out of the seat. The solution showed
up a couple of month ago, when I got an original Sway Bar with all hangers
and bushings. The only parts that didn’t fit were the brackets
to the frame. They had been cut off and therefore I had to weld them
on again. Here’s the pictures of what I did:
|
|
|
My SF didn’t have a sway bar, so I had to
find the right place for the brackets. |
With a tape and some plastic straps, the sway bar
comes in position. |
| |
 |
The bolt of lower control arm strut is a good reference
point and allows a precise adjustment. |
The original bracket is in the right position,
or is it not? I have to check the clearance in all directions now. |
|
|
Last check – everything still in the right
position? |
A new bracket is on the frame. |
|
|
Clean the welding seam
|
Good enough for now. Later, after the first test
drive I’ll do it better (hope I don’t have to change it) |
|
|
With hanger and bushings on the right
and left side – it already looks pretty good. |
|
The little hole on the right corner or the bracket
is a perfect reference point. |
|
|
Drivers Side |
Passenger Side
|
|
|
Clearance between Frame
and lower control arm strut |
|
The moment of truth – does the sway
bar move freely in extreme situations? |
The first test drive revealed
a significantly improved handling of the car. Especially in curves the
chassis doesn’t roll so much anymore. The Sport Fury shows a lot
more stability, gives a more precise feedback from the steering wheel
and better road-holding. What I like the best on the sway bar is a more
comfortable ride for driver and passenger.
|