Front anti-roll bar bushes - desperately need help!!

[TSwede]

My frustration knows no bounds.. failed my MOT on play in the front anti-roll bar bushes (911 '75 2.7s with 20mm antiroll bar) - ordered a new set of 'D' type bushes... took off the bar and old bushes but cannor get the new ones in to save my life.. damn near gave myself a bloody heart attack straining under the car yesterday!!.. I got the bushes in but the bar is such a tight fit and because of the shape of it I can't line it up with the holes in the new bushes... I would have to physically bend it to line it up to push into the bushes (the ones one top of the lower suspension arms - not the ones bolted to the body)... and I'm no way physically capable of bending that bar..

I gave in after 2 hours...

Please advise - I'm really struggling here..

[Superman]

I recently replaced mine along with control arm bushings. If yours is the same as mine (non-through the body), then I undeerstand your struggle. I fought with them too. First, you need to take the two bolts out that hold the back of the control arm and the cross member, and the two bolts that attach the steering rack to the cros member. The rear of the control arms needs to droop a bit. I used grease, pieces of wood and half of my hammer collection. I think the 3-lb dead blow hammer was most useful.

[TSwede]

I'm afraid I still can't figure it from your reply.... I'm going to try to find a picture or draw one or smething... I'll be back in a bit....

[feelyx]

jack up one side of your car where the front tire is 10" off the ground...
put a block under the front tire.
while the swaybar is unattached...take your swaybar and slip it in the lowest (unblocked tire side)
now lower the car off the jack with the block still under the tire (so you get the suspension to colapse)
Do this slowly until the right angle is achieved and the bar slips in... sometimes you have to push down on the suspension (from top of fender)
hope this helps
Tim in Sac

[TSwede]

I'm not sure I'm having the same problem.... as you had.. i can get the angle right but the 'other' end of the bar is about an inch and a half wide of the bush when I line it up (assuming I've put one side in already)... This is a truly crap picture but it should explain what I mean..... my photoshop skills know no bounds..

[feelyx]

Yes looks like the same problem... when your suspension travels up, it spreads apart. the angle I am talking about is that angle... as it spreads
thats why you jack up one side to spread that angle on the lowest side and then adjust the angle by smashing the suspension on the jacked up side

[TSwede]

Ahhh.... I see... sounds like I should be trying this ASAP... I'll tell you how I get on..
Cheers.

[beamonk]

I had this same problem a few months ago, I fought and fought, taking the whole front end apart, basically. Was so mad I had to walk away, the next morning it slipped in, literally in 30 seconds. These things will drive you crazy, I like the idea of the block