Manta/Ascona Sway Bar Bushings

[Gary]

I was tired of the front wheels rubbing on the fender every time I backed my wagon out of my driveway. So I decided to replace the sway bar bushings.

The sway bar holds the lower control arm in the Manta/Ascona in the proper position. There are 2 bushings in the LCA and 2 that hold the bar to the body. The bushings were pretty soft after 37 years of driving and they flexed when backing up causing the LCA to move. You can see the difference below.

I pressed the new LCA bushing in using a 1/2-13 X 4" bolt, some washers and a small plate with a 1/2" hole drilled in it along with some WD-40 for a lube.

[dallasmanta]

the new bushings make a big difference in suspension give. Just went through the same replacements on the Manta also went back to rubber bushings after 15 years of polly ones. Much softer ride and quieter. I have always used a large vise to press the LCA bushings in the LCA. done in less than five minutes start to finish each side. Ron

[hrcollinsjr]

Can you tell any difference?

Harold

[AZManta]

Originally Posted by Gary I was tired of the front wheels rubbing on the fender every time I backed my wagon out of my driveway. So I decided to replace the sway bar bushings. The sway bar holds the lower control arm in the Manta/Ascona in the proper position. There are 2 bushings in the LCA and 2 that hold the bar to the body. The bushings were pretty soft after 37 years of driving and they flexed when backing up causing the LCA to move. You can see the difference below. I pressed the new LCA bushing in using a 1/2-13 X 4" bolt, some washers and a small plate with a 1/2" hole drilled in it along with some WD-40 for a lube.

Gary,
Put that Opel back on the lift and carefully inspect the lower control arms for cracks around the inner bushings. Those worn bushings create stress on that area and can cause LCA failure. Look at the crossmember too.

[Gary]

Originally Posted by dallasmanta ...I have always used a large vise to press the LCA bushings in the LCA. done in less than five minutes start to finish each side. Ron

The LCA's were still on the car so I had to improvise.

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Can you tell any difference? Harold

Haven't driven it on the street yet. I did back it up and turned a few times and it felt a lot tighter.

Originally Posted by AZManta Gary, Put that Opel back on the lift and carefully inspect the lower control arms for cracks around the inner bushings. Those worn bushings create stress on that area and can cause LCA failure. Look at the crossmember too.

I checked the inside of the sleeve for cracking before the bushings went in and checked the rest of the front end today. No problems.

The only thing I screwed up on was I didn't realize there was a difference in the sway bar to body bushings and they ended up going in backwards.
Doesn't look like it will have any negative effect though.