I need to get new front swaybar insulators for my '89 GTA. However, I'm having a hard time finding the correct ones that will fit.

The insulators wrap around the front swaybar and are secured to the frame rail by U-shaped brackets. I went to the local GM dealer and ordered a pair for my application. However, when I tried them they didn't fit inside the stock brackets. It appears that the GM bushings are taller than the originals and won't allow the swaybar bracket to fit flush against the frame rail support. There's a 1/2" space between the top of the bracket and the bottom of the frame rail with the GM bushings.

Since the GM part didn't work, I tried an autoparts store to see if perhaps Moog made a swaybar insulator for my application. They did, but unfortunately the correct insulator for my application, according to their computer listing, was also too tall to fit inside the stock brackets. They were exactly the same as the GM insulators. The hole was the proper size to fit around the 36mm bar, but the insulator was too tall and left about 1/2" gap between the bracket and the bottom of frame rail support when bolted on.

I'm almost getting to my wits end about this whole ordeal. I don't want "greaseable" front swaybar insulators nor do I want "polyurethane" insulators. I just want to find the stock style rubber insulators that will fit around a 36mm front swaybar and be able to bolt to the frame rail without any gaps just like the original ones.

Does anyone know where I can possibly the correct stock-style front stabilizer bar insulators for an '89 GTA?

 

if it's a GTA then you have WS6, which means 36MM front bar. i would order the one TDS sells. it has grease fittings, somthing the stock one lacks. while your at it add a wonder bar. best $50 you can spend on the car says most. also since the sway bar bushings come with a new mount you know it will fit!

sway bar mounting bushings and bracket $41
i have purchased stuff from lon @ TDS before. he runs a tight ship. good stuff. highly recomended.

 

The following GM part number is for an OEM 36 mm bar (I used the piece for a while, so I know that it fits): 14094344. The 24 mm rear is 10037104.

JamesC

 

Thanks for the replies.

I guess I'm chit out of luck trying to find stock replacement insulators then. The kicker is that I remember being able to order the right insulators for my uncle's '91 Z28 about three years ago. The '91-'92 Z28's had the same 36mm hollow front swaybar as the GTA's.

I'm trying to perform a stock only restoration on this car so I really didn't want aftermarket poly insulators or greasable bushings on it. I'm even trying to refrain putting a wonderbar on it because GTA's didn't originally come with them from the factory.

 

Energy makes a black poly insulator for the 36mm bars, they look stock also.

 

I didn't think the Z28 had the same front sway bar, IIRC...

John

 

I was thinking that the Iroc has the 32mm also John

 

My 85 IROC was equipped with a 34/24 combo.

JamesC

 

You guys might be right. I'm pretty sure it was a 36mm swaybar, but it may have been 34mm bar instead. A 2mm difference is kinda hard to tell visually unless you actually measure it.

However, the dealer showed the same part #'s for the front stabilizer insulators on both the GTA and my uncle's '91 Z28. However, the local dealer I go to has been known to goof up on the part numbers a few times.

 

THe Front "Insulator Grommet" for the 86 - 92 WS6/FE2 Firebirds is
14094389 - ( 86-92 ) WS6/FE2 - 36mm
14094462 - ( 86-92 ) FE1 "Soft Ride"- 28mm
14094461 - ( 82-84) BASE Suspension - 26mm
14094388 - ( 84-85) WS6, ( 86-92 ) F41 "Firm Ride"- 33mm


I got sick of looking at it.

THats what I figured out.

John

 

You can get black polyurethane bushings (36mm) that use the factory brackets from Guldstrand