Kadett sway bar for front

[opelspyder]

Did the Kadett B 1968-69 offer a sway bar for the front suspension in US or Germany? I came across an NOS set of lower control arms with sway bar brackets, but they are on the front side of the arms instead of the rear like on a GT. The brackets are welded to the spindle stop bracket. I didn't know if this was available or not then, and why in the front of the front axle.
Keith

[heimue]

A sway bar was offered for the Kadetts. At least in Germany. The front sway bar is in front of the axle. On the attached picture, you can see the routing of it. Don't get hung up on the spacers of the holder, where it attaches to the frame. I had to lower the front holders because the oil filter of the 2.0-16V was in the way. Normally the sway bar would be directly underneath the frame.
I don't know whether the sway bar was restricted to specific years or models. No information about US models at all.

Dieter

[opelspyder]

Wow Dieter, that was a wild setup they had going there, but those A-arms look like what I got, actually I got 2 LH sides, the right hand (I'm changing the brackets on it to make the lh a rh one. Also Dieter, I would like to try to come down there to look at your Kadett one weekend, seen lots of pics, but never in person, you brought a Manta to Charlotte one time I think??? Can't remeber, but I met you at Roy Bell's. Maybe I will get down there and swing by to see the old Spyder?
Keith

[tonykim]

yes, I've seen a front sway bar setup on a 72 Kadett Rallye in a junkyard in Germany. I also have a front sway bar setup on my 69 rallye kadett. I'll try to post some pics.

[heimue]

Wow Dieter, that was a wild setup they had going there, but those A-arms look like what I got, actually I got 2 LH sides, the right hand (I'm changing the brackets on it to make the lh a rh one. Also Dieter, I would like to try to come down there to look at your Kadett one weekend, seen lots of pics, but never in person, you brought a Manta to Charlotte one time I think??? Can't remeber, but I met you at Roy Bell's. Maybe I will get down there and swing by to see the old Spyder?
Keith

Anytime!

just let me know, and the grill, the Kadett (and maybe Gene) will be ready!
Yes, I had the white Manta up at the 06 Spring Auto fair in CLT.

Dieter

[heimue]

yes, I've seen a front sway bar setup on a 72 Kadett Rallye in a junkyard in Germany. I also have a front sway bar setup on my 69 rallye kadett. I'll try to post some pics.

I just checked my 69 Rallye Kadett US-model parts car, it doesn't have the sway bar (it was raining cats and dogs yesterday evening, so I didn't want to go out and look)

Dieter

[Killer Texas GT]

Uwe Klippett in Germany has the Kadett 'C' suspension in one of his GT's, independent sprung with the sway bar to the front as Dieter's is installed. The US version would be the the front sway bar off of a Imark 76/78 (Buick Opel By Isuzu). I can't find the pictures I have of Uwe's installation at the moment.

OTTO HELP!!! I know you have some.

I will be installing the Isuzu sway bar on my 68 Kadett 31 as I have no other plans for it, also the rear sway bar works on the GT or Kadett from the Imark.

[BQS4]

Here ya go Rodney...

[tonykim]

Here a picture of the sway bar installation on my Kadett. This is the same as what I saw on a European model 72 Kadett Rallye.

[heimue]

Here a picture of the sway bar installation on my Kadett. This is the same as what I saw on a European model 72 Kadett Rallye.

I've never seen it before, mounted on the upper control arm. Your lower arms have the original bracket on 'em.

Dieter

[opelspyder]

I was going to say the same, I noticed you had the original brackets for the sway bar, but it has an aftermarket setup. I wondwer if it is as effective having the sway bar on the upper a-arms as it would be the lower? Dieter, how available is the factory setup to obtain. The bar and the brackets?
Keith

[tonykim]

Keith,

You're right. this setup with the sway bar connected to the top control arms seems odd. In thinking about it more it's probably an aftermarket setup. This car is just full of unusual perf items and aftermarket stuff. I haven't driven the car with this setup much yet but it was set up for being at least somewhat competitive on the track. It's lowered at least 3 inches in the front as well. The Kadett in Germany that I saw with this set up was lowered also. I wonder if that has something to do with it. I thought I read somewhere the Kadett B's with a front sway bar had nasty oversteer habits. Seems like with this car someone went through a lot of trouble to mount it up high.

[t425i]

I think all of the post-68 Rallyes has the sway bar in Europe. The latest series of Kadett B in 73 with the 1.2 litres engine as well.

Lars I.