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Thread: Got the sway bar installed

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Near Knoxville TN
    Age
    67
    Posts
    10,717

    Got the sway bar installed

    Does it ever make a difference. Since I've got two of these things to play with, I can easily go back and forth between the stock one and the modded one for comparison. It corners much better, stays virtually flat in curves. I lubed the bushings the same way I did in the old days, just wrapped teflon tape around the bar before putting the bushings on. Lasts longer than grease and isn't as messy. I painted mine with black epoxy paint.

    Sometimes you add a mod and wonder if it really made a difference or was it worth the money. Not with this one. It's immediately apparent and well worth every penny.
    Thanks to Darrin @ BC Automotive:
    $1800 and it was worse than when he started!

    Brian (FordNut) FPG # 1458 of 7838
    03 MM 300A (Lotsa mods, 130k mi) was 303rwhp/318rwtq N/A
    then 476/410 D1SC ProCharged on stock block
    then 660/555 D1SC PC on 5.3 wet sleeved Teksid alum big bore stroker
    then 365/369 N/A on 5.3 wet sleeved Teksid alum big bore stroker
    Now 751/617 3.4L Whipple on 5.3 Boss5.0 iron big bore stroker

    03 MM 300B Silver (Mostly stock, originally wife's car, 370k mi) FPG # 7053 of 7838 or 49 of 417 SB
    03 MM 300B Silver, Stock, wife's next one, 136k mi FPG # 7134 of 7838 or 89 of 417 SB
    04 MM Silver, Stock, on standby 85k mi, FPG # 1212 of 3214 or 432 of 997 SB
    01 F150 longbed
    01 F150 shortbed
    00 F150 4x4 stepside
    01 F150 4x4 7700
    68 Stang FB (70 351C 4V, 4 wheel discs, project car)

    Mods listed here (some items not current): FordNut's Mods

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Posts
    1,157

    Re: Got the sway bar installed

    Originally posted by FordNut
    I lubed the bushings the same way I did in the old days, just wrapped teflon tape around the bar before putting the bushings on. Lasts longer than grease and isn't as messy. I painted mine with black epoxy paint.
    Thanks for the tip, FordNut! But I could've used that tip about a month ago! I've still got Marine grease on EVERYTHING! Anyway, I agree with you about the swaybar--the car really corners a lot better--congrats on your new swaybar! Are you gonna do the Eibachs too?

    2003 Mercury Marauder 300B, matte-black, S55 taillights.
    B&M transmission/Precision Industries TC; Eibach-lowered; Addco rear anti-sway; Metco rear control arms; Steeda UDP; 180° 'stat.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Near Knoxville TN
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    No, I need the ground clearance. I drag things even at the stock height so I certainly wouldn't want to go much lower. Now if there were a truly progressive spring (the Eibachs aren't progressive after all) at the stock height or maybe 1/2" lower...
    Thanks to Darrin @ BC Automotive:
    $1800 and it was worse than when he started!

    Brian (FordNut) FPG # 1458 of 7838
    03 MM 300A (Lotsa mods, 130k mi) was 303rwhp/318rwtq N/A
    then 476/410 D1SC ProCharged on stock block
    then 660/555 D1SC PC on 5.3 wet sleeved Teksid alum big bore stroker
    then 365/369 N/A on 5.3 wet sleeved Teksid alum big bore stroker
    Now 751/617 3.4L Whipple on 5.3 Boss5.0 iron big bore stroker

    03 MM 300B Silver (Mostly stock, originally wife's car, 370k mi) FPG # 7053 of 7838 or 49 of 417 SB
    03 MM 300B Silver, Stock, wife's next one, 136k mi FPG # 7134 of 7838 or 89 of 417 SB
    04 MM Silver, Stock, on standby 85k mi, FPG # 1212 of 3214 or 432 of 997 SB
    01 F150 longbed
    01 F150 shortbed
    00 F150 4x4 stepside
    01 F150 4x4 7700
    68 Stang FB (70 351C 4V, 4 wheel discs, project car)

    Mods listed here (some items not current): FordNut's Mods

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Hiram, Georgia
    Age
    61
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    17,780
    Originally posted by FordNut
    No, I need the ground clearance. I drag things even at the stock height so I certainly wouldn't want to go much lower. Now if there were a truly progressive spring (the Eibachs aren't progressive after all) at the stock height or maybe 1/2" lower...
    I hear ya! I did the Eibachs and the car will not clear my floor lift!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Waterloo, IA
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,464
    < dreaming >
    I wonder if anyone's investigated swapping in air bags for the front springs to really lower the car "on demand".

    Without having looked under mine, I can probably guess the strut/shock on the front goes -through- the spring thus making this impossible.

    < /dreaming >

  6. #6
    I agree Fordnut!

    I finally had mine installed ... yup, big difference! It has the perfect amount of understeer for me.

    I had it powder coated with my valve covers

    Tom

  7. #7
    When (if?) I get my car back I'll be putting my sway bar on as well. Do you folks recommend painting the bar? Is there any reason to not just put it in place as it is?
    2003 Mercury Marauder
    2007 Lincoln Town Car
    1993 Crown Victoria LX

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Cape Cod, MA
    Posts
    13,676
    Fourth:

    I just installed mine right out of the box...it's anodised, and there were no indications from Addco that painting was necessary...I never even thought about it...
    The Blackbird
    Trilogy #61
    Driveway Queen

    The Spruce Goose
    2004 Grand Marquis LS Limited Edition
    Daily Driver

  9. #9
    Cool. I'll do the same, then. Thanks!
    2003 Mercury Marauder
    2007 Lincoln Town Car
    1993 Crown Victoria LX

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Near Knoxville TN
    Age
    67
    Posts
    10,717
    Looks fine out of the box. I wanted to paint mine for 2 reasons. 1st, the OEM bar is painted black and 2nd it matches my powdercoated rear end cover/girdle.
    Thanks to Darrin @ BC Automotive:
    $1800 and it was worse than when he started!

    Brian (FordNut) FPG # 1458 of 7838
    03 MM 300A (Lotsa mods, 130k mi) was 303rwhp/318rwtq N/A
    then 476/410 D1SC ProCharged on stock block
    then 660/555 D1SC PC on 5.3 wet sleeved Teksid alum big bore stroker
    then 365/369 N/A on 5.3 wet sleeved Teksid alum big bore stroker
    Now 751/617 3.4L Whipple on 5.3 Boss5.0 iron big bore stroker

    03 MM 300B Silver (Mostly stock, originally wife's car, 370k mi) FPG # 7053 of 7838 or 49 of 417 SB
    03 MM 300B Silver, Stock, wife's next one, 136k mi FPG # 7134 of 7838 or 89 of 417 SB
    04 MM Silver, Stock, on standby 85k mi, FPG # 1212 of 3214 or 432 of 997 SB
    01 F150 longbed
    01 F150 shortbed
    00 F150 4x4 stepside
    01 F150 4x4 7700
    68 Stang FB (70 351C 4V, 4 wheel discs, project car)

    Mods listed here (some items not current): FordNut's Mods

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Las Vegas, NV
    Age
    75
    Posts
    431
    Petrograde,

    Does not the sway bar bend? Is powder coat flexible? I would think it would break and flake off.
    2003 Marauder 1907 of 7838
    Built 06/24/02 Bought 10/25/02 Sold 1/5/19
    Reinhart chip,stat,plugs
    McGard locks
    Mercury logo valve/plate bolt caps
    Bob White black reflective letters
    Pioneer AVH-X2500BT
    Kicker 10" sub and 250 watt amp
    Gods Head spinners by Jerry

  12. #12
    hmm, ... I hadn't really though about it. I'm sure there is a little twisting. I'm sure it'll be ok. I'm more worried about road debris hitting it.

    Powder coating is fairly strong stuff from what I've seen. But, I'll keep an eye on it and post if it starts flaking off.

    BTW- sometime next year when I install some Eibach springs those will get powder coated too, if the sway bar holds up.

    Tom

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Posts
    9,769
    Powder coating will not flake off. You can use it on springs swaybars and other movable parts.
    2003 Marauder 300B,
    6468 out of 7839 - Thanks Brian
    Heated Seats
    35% Tint
    Mercury All Weather Mats
    Trunk Organizer - Thanks MartyO
    Sold 4/3/2009 Now resides in AL.
    1961 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible
    1973 Oldsmobile Toronado
    2012 Kia Sedona Van
    2008 Corvette Convertible
    2003 Marauder 300 A Thanks Larry O 6/14/17
    2021 Prius Prime Limited
    2023 Chevrolet Silverado High Country
    Member # 440
    ----- John

  14. #14
    Thanks jgc .... that's what I thought.

  15. #15
    And...that 26mm, solid swaybar doesn't move like the stock, hollow, 21mm one did...

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