Re: Henry's 55 Constellation

Posted by BH On 2010/2/21 9:52:53

While the front sway bar "bearings" (what we all call bushings) were available as a service part (Gr. 13.114), I never found a published replacement procedure. Even if someone manages to press the old ones out, I don't believe the new bushings could be pressed in without ruining something.

Those big fat spot welds, one on each side, holding the two pieces of the front stabilizer bar bracket together can be popped by heating with a torch. However, you might want to first drill through them for a bolt for reassembly.

Next time I do this job on one of the other unrestored cars, I'm thinking I can get by with drilling and popping just one of the spot welds (one facing the rear, to hide the repair), and spreading the legs apart just enough to slip the bushing in/out. I'd clean up the brakcet before, but paint it after installing the new bushing. That might rule out powdercoating, but I personally don't use that, anyway.

Hope this helps.