Is my rear sway bar upside down?

texasscot · texasscot's Garage

Hi
I've had my 1987 911 G50 for 3 years and have heard some annoying knocking sounds at the back for the whole time i've owned it. Time to investigate! I've found that the rear sway bar is actually touching the tranny and if you heave it up and down it clunks on it. The question is, has it been fitted upside down at some point in its life? The "bend" which i assume is meant to help avoid contact with the tranny seems to be facing up but it seems to me it would be more sensible to have it facing down? I looked for pics of others but couldn't find any and the manual i have doesn't show the bend at all. See a pic of mine below.
Appreciate any comments!
Thanks

Wavey · 01-09-2011, 05:59 AM

Pretty sure you've nailed it, but I'd have to take a look at mine to confirm.

Oh Haha · 01-09-2011, 06:01 AM

The angle of the pic makes it hard to tell which way it's oriented. I searched as well but didn't find any good pics of this year.

I think you have another problem if you can move it by hand, though. Check the mounts as they often crack.

shahram · 01-09-2011, 06:27 AM

funny, mine is straight.

boyt911sc · boyt911sc's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasscot

Hi
I've had my 1987 911 G50 for 3 years and have heard some annoying knocking sounds at the back for the whole time i've owned it. Time to investigate! I've found that the rear sway bar is actually touching the tranny and if you heave it up and down it clunks on it. The question is, has it been fitted upside down at some point in its life? The "bend" which i assume is meant to help avoid contact with the tranny seems to be facing up but it seems to me it would be more sensible to have it facing down? I looked for pics of others but couldn't find any and the manual i have doesn't show the bend at all. See a pic of mine below.
Appreciate any comments!
Thanks

Texasscot,

The rear sway bar was installed in the wrong orientation!!!!!! The fact that you could wiggle the sway bar is a sure sign of worn rubber bushings or loose mountings. Remove the sway bar and install it the other way. Driver side (now) goes to the passenger side to change the current orientation. You probably need a set of rubber bushings too. HTH.

Tony

texasscot · texasscot's Garage

Thanks guys, at least it didn't seem totally ridiculous!
here's a closeup that shows the "space" between the sway bar and the tranny, i think i could get a sheet of paper in there. i also think the slight movement is in the old rubber bushings (i hope!).
An indication of the size of the gap between the sway bar and tranny on another car would be welcome before i pull it apart. Thanks for your help

mthomas58 · 01-09-2011, 06:37 AM

Looks to be mounted upside down based on this pic from a 1987 G50 car. The bar clearly angles down.

Also, have you checked your mounts for cracks? Very common failure item.

texasscot · texasscot's Garage

Many thanks to all. Problem confirmed.
Just removed sway bar. it definitely was upside down, it actually has a wear mark from the tranny. It was probably put in wrong when a previous owner welded one of the mounts (i just saw the repair). I think they are good as they sound ok when i hit them with a hammer

...
Ordering new bushes now.
I really appreciate the trouble everyone took to help, thanks again.
btw shahram, the bend was put in when the G50 was introduced (i found that on other posts)
Graham

mholbrook38 · mholbrook38's Garage

While you are under there and in the vicinity, how are your tranny and motor mounts? I recommend the Sport Mounts from our sponsor if this is a street car primarily. You might also look at the front bushings as well. It is pretty amazing how 4 new mounts and new sway bar bushings front and rear will make a serious difference in ride, shifting, etc.

Oh Haha · 01-09-2011, 11:27 AM

Excellent! Glad we could help out.

dtxscott · 01-09-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mholbrook38

While you are under there and in the vicinity, how are your tranny and motor mounts? I recommend the Sport Mounts from our sponsor if this is a street car primarily. You might also look at the front bushings as well. It is pretty amazing how 4 new mounts and new sway bar bushings front and rear will make a serious difference in ride, shifting, etc.

A G50 mount is very different from a 915 mount. The trans cross bar has to be removed and new bushing pressed in. Very different from the 915 mount that uses motor mounts on the bar.