'71 911T stuck sway bar

[67R69S]

Greetings all, I'm new to this forum and was wondering if I could get some advice on my sway bar. When the bar is installed in the body, but without the drop links attached, it is very difficult to rotate the bar. To my mind this reduces the effectiveness of an independent suspension setup. Should it not rotate with little effort? It is well lubricated with a silicone based grease, but no change. Last time I drove the car, the front hood began popping open to the first detent when I would hit a small bump. The shocks are smooth and the A-arm bushings are supple. Could the sway bar bushings be bad? If so, are bushings available for a 15mm bar? I'm not sure if it is original equipment or not.

Thanks kindly for any advice, Gunther