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Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 09:39 PM
  #1  
Streetstuff's Avatar
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From: Central Illinois
Car: 1985 Camaro
Engine: 5.3
Transmission: 4L80e
Axle/Gears: 3.42 10 bolt
Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

Is there a certain type of sway bar that fits with a Perfect Launch cover on a 10 bolt? Does it have to be a really small one or aftermarket or something?
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Old Apr 2, 2017 | 09:36 AM
  #2  
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From: Orillia On,
Car: 1986 sports coupe, 1984 F41
Engine: 3.8L Turbo SFI, stock 305
Transmission: 700 R4, 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42:1, 3.08:1
Re: Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

I haven't seen the Perfect Launch cover, but I have a Trick Flow cover on my car and there's lots of clearance around the sway bar and Panhard bar. The Perfect Launch cover must be pretty large for there to be clearance problems. Most sway bars travel on the underside of the diff. Is yours different? Not the best photo, but you can just make out the sway bar. Well below the diff cover.
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Old Apr 2, 2017 | 10:04 AM
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Re: Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

The problem occurs during full travel of the suspension... the entire bar rotates as the car articulates it. That center section of the bar rotates upward and rearward, specifically.

On my car, with a T/A girdle cover (not lowered), 91 or 92 model 24mm bar if memory serves with ES bushings, it rubs at the center at full jounce, on the very bottom edge of the cover. It's not real bad or anything but it has made a noticeable little rub place right there.

Note that in that photo, the rear axle is hanging; the shocks are fully extended (full rebound). The center part of the bar is therefore rotated fully downward and forward. Put the jack stands under the axle tubes instead, and set the car's weight on them; you'll see what happens. I'd bet money your bar is REAL CLOSE to the cover.

No idea whether any particular sway bars are better/worse about it than others, besides obviously, their OD.
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Old Apr 2, 2017 | 10:14 AM
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Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

I have Jegs brand rear end cover that looks exactly like the posted Trick Flow cover. I've had it for several years and it has never touched the rear sway bar. The car is sitting up on blocks, so it's in the air but sitting on the wheels. I will take a picture tonight and measure.
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Old Apr 2, 2017 | 11:23 AM
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Re: Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

Have your assistant bounce the car up and down while you watch it. I'd be surprised if it doesn't come REAL close when moving toward bottoming out.
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Old Apr 2, 2017 | 11:34 AM
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Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

You can use larger saddle clamps to keep the bar further away.
Attached Thumbnails Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover-dsc00857sm.jpg  
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Old Apr 5, 2017 | 06:13 PM
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From: Central Illinois
Car: 1985 Camaro
Engine: 5.3
Transmission: 4L80e
Axle/Gears: 3.42 10 bolt
Re: Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

TEDSgrad, do you remember where you got your clamps from?

Thanks to everyone whose replied. I'm away from the car so I can't get pics or anything. I'll post where it hits and the fix for it once it gets done.
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Old Apr 5, 2017 | 06:38 PM
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Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

Not positive, but probably Spohn--> suspension--> sway bars & accessories.
If you need even more, you can use some spacers (probably not needed).
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Old Apr 6, 2017 | 01:43 PM
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Car: 88 Firebird Formula
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Axle/Gears: 2.73 stock rear end
Re: Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

Originally Posted by TEDSgrad
You can use larger saddle clamps to keep the bar further away.
If you use those does it change anything in how the sway bar works? Diff end-links?
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Old Apr 6, 2017 | 02:47 PM
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Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

Does not change how the sway bar works or the end links.

There is a very minimal difference. Not sure if it could even be calculated. Less than by moving the OEM attachment points around on the axle tubes - very slight difference in leverage.
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Old Apr 6, 2017 | 07:59 PM
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Re: Rear Sway with Aftermarket Diff. Cover

I have Suspension Techniques sway bar and it clears my Strange 12 bolt but will clip the bottom of the differential housing when the car is jacked up in the air.
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