Front sway bar bushing question

[450knotOffice]

Question:

I've read in one string that one should orient the split in the front sway bar bushing (for cars with the underbody sway bars) toward the car's center, supposedly to keep the sway bar end from squeezing through the slit and rubbing on the metal mount itself. It makes sense but I remember how the sway bar sat in the bushing at an angle, so I recreated the angle and noticed that the sway bar seemed like it would cause the same problem regardless of whether the slit was pointed outboard or inboard, considering that it sits in the bushing at an angle. I've also noticed that no one else has ever mentioned the orientation of the slit, including Wayne in his book and the Bently manual.

So the question is, does it matter? If it does, I'll try to pull the one that's oriented that way back out without damaging it and turn it round. What do you all think

[aigel]

In my opinion it doesn't matter. The bushing is firmly held together by the bracket it sits in. The swaybar isn't just going to squeeze through the slit. If anything, there may be a bit more deflection. Definitely save yourself the hassle of moving it!

George

[450knotOffice]

Thanks George. That seems like a good point.

[jbrinkley]

I had one that was turned around, but I had enough dow111 on it that I pushed it out and turned it around, with some effort. I can't see t mattering much though

[Mysterytrain]

Just did this job on my SC, all of the old control arm bushings had the seams facing the fuel tank. I didn't do the complete suspension rebuild just the sway bar bushings. Mine were so worn, I swear the openings were 1/4 " larger then the sway bar. So, $30.00 and an hour later I can't begin to tell you how much tighter my front end is. I did the job with the wheels on the car..drivers side jacked up and passenger side on the ground. Nice project to do while you are saving for the total suspension rebuild.