Updating pre 77 911 rear sway bar mounts

[moneymanager]

My car is a 73T fitted with a slightly over-sized MM rear sway bar. Until 1978 these bars used a fairly crude sheet metal drop link from a ball joint on the banana arm down to the sway bar, with rubber bushings at each end. In 78 a more refined looking drop link was installed, which I believe bolted to the banana arm instead of using the ball joint.
I'm trying to install a bigger, stock, post-1978 sway bar that uses this "more modern" drop link. It might be easier to simply install a Smart racing or Tarrett aftermarket sway bar, but I don't want the rough ride these units provide. I would also prefer not to substitue the post 78 aluminum banana arms for the older steel ones I have. Anybody out there who has ground off the early ball joint mount and replaced it with the later bolt-on setup? Basically I'm just trying to find out if this is way more trouble than its worth.
Insights appreciated.

[bkreigsr]

moneymanager - I'm going thru the same thing now, did you ever get a solution?
thanks
Bill K

[moneymanager]

Hi Bill,
I found that what I wanted to do was basically an awful lot of work! I didn't find anyone who even thought it was a good idea. Basically, an aftermarket Weltmeister or Tarrett bar is a superior solution to the problem, allows for adjustment (for either track or everyday conditions) and probably costs less. So my next project is an aftermarket bar at the rear. HTH. Jim

[bkreigsr]

Thanks Jim. I'm committed to the project in spite of getting the same kind of answers here. I'm determined to keep the ride quality as civil as possible on my 77 930, so I think I am going to machine a fork for the bar, insert a threaded rod/heim joint type rod, and top it with a loop capable of receiving the stock plastic bushing that pops over the ball. My son has access to CAD/CAM and a CNC machine, so all I have to do is mock up a dummy for him to fabricate.

(Smart and Tarett both attach to the spring plate - not something I'm interested in doing. I already bought a Tarett and did not like how low it rode under the car, and never installed it. It was a beautiful bar, but they must ride a little on the harsh side.)

Could be a fun fall project.

We've thought about approaching Wayne to see if he has any interest in including such a piece in his catalog.

The first step is done, I bought a 22mm bar from another pelican to replace the 19mm I now have in the car.

[moneymanager]

Good luck. Let me know how it works out. One reason I decided to go with the aftermarket bar was the idea that the I could leave it pretty loose around town, thereby not doing much to the ride, while having the ability to tighten it up when I wanted. Jim

[ttweed]

Originally posted by moneymanager
Anybody out there who has ground off the early ball joint mount and replaced it with the later bolt-on setup?

Don't grind off the ball on the trailing arm, just adapt the later ARB to the earlier droplink with a bushing and bolt. See this article my mechanic wrote. I am using the 22mm Carrera rear bar on my '73 right now using this method.

TT