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Sway bar install
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liken127
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 7:57 pm    Post subject: Sway bar install Reply with quote

PLEASE HELP! I bought (from TTS) the kit for the front sway bar, and omg! there's no way this thing is going to fit. Could it be the wrong part? or is there a secret ?
What am I missing?
Thanks for your help!
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hobie16
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

These might do the job. They did for me.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C12%2D6500%2D51
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GI Joe
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

They'll fit...

It takes some precise hammering! Good luck with your Install.... Wink
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Ron Domeck
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 9:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is your rubber bushings what is not fitting? We drill these out to 5/8 in. Check your old clamps with the new ones.

Last edited by Ron Domeck on Sun Feb 22, 2015 10:42 am; edited 1 time in total
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liken127
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks guys, I threw away the originals. not thinking, not knowing! But the rubber goes over the bar fairly easy! but the steel clamps just will not
go over the rubber, to even get close to sliding on the clamp.
I got them from the TTS, about 6 months ago, I will call them next week.
Need some more things for the Thing any way!
thanks again
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GI Joe
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 7:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try and use a C clamp to squeeze the metal over the rubber enough to start the connector piece... Also, the connector is wedge shaped.. Make sure you're starting the Wide end first.. (Yeah, I think that's how it goes...)


I'm a visual learner....
And there is Always the YouTube...
Not my vid... Just did a quick search..
http://youtu.be/wWf-3s-jz94
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mondshine
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 9:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used a nipper like this:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


To squeeze the ends together (enough to start the wedge shaped locking piece).

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Here's the bushing kit I used:
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C24-111-498-101-A2

Good luck, Mondshine
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JayC
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 11:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I finally gave up on those original style clamps. They were an incredibly pain in the a$$. I went with the ones like Hobbie16 posted. They worked much easier. Yea, it isn't quite original, but I saved a lot of skin on knuckles.
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citroen
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 1:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree I have used both and the new style are a lot easier , not original but a lot easier. I have had the new style on mine for over 20,000 miles and no problems.
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doublecanister
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:45 am    Post subject: how to Reply with quote

I'm doing some shopping myself (upcoming birthday)
and wandered into adding a front sway bar.

I did some searching and found a samba link that a guy used
2 pair of locking pliers, one looks like a welding pair the other a normal pair
to install the rubber grommets and their clamps.

just in case it'd help:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=193321

This is for a bus but I'd think the idea's the same. may order one of these bars and do this, as the "sway" has been a complaint of mine since I bought my THING, although, I did notice on my last Sunday drive, all 4 tires at 32lbs made a noticeable difference in ride quality and handling.
I used to run all 4 at 36lbs and have played with different pressures front/back. These THING's are so light the lower tire pressures do help ride quality tremendously. but it appears it's a bit of trial and error and personal preference.
Just not too low, no need for tire overheats!

T
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doublecanister
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 12:42 pm    Post subject: after doing some searching Reply with quote

Ok,

I confirmed I don't have a sway bar on my THING. weird I never noticed that wasn't there, because it sure "sways' when driving. That's been a big complaint of mine as it tends to make you work to stay in the seat.

well did some searching around, and am a bit confused on what to get here.
(best guess, stock or stock replacement should be fine for my road use)

so what size sway bar should be on the THING?
14mm
or
5/8
or
would a 3/4in work?

I'm noticing that TTS has one for sale (no mention of the size) but is sold out of the clamps/bushing kit, other suppliers have clamps/bushing kit, but then some have the larger bar's and use urethane bushings but don't offer the clamps or mention the sizes.

Was curious if there was a substitute (like a certain year vw beetle for a source part, since some of the parts are shared).

any ideas/thoughts/suggestions?
I've seen a few used but wanted to get the right part or if a vw beetle part was a equal substitute.

Many Thanks for any help here.

T
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Ron Domeck
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 1:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sway bar size is 14mm and I think beetle is about 12-13mm. I know beetle is smaller. I would put the stock size bar with the new style clamps. Also factory specs say tire pressure Rear 27 lbs. Front 18 lbs.
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doublecanister
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 1:28 pm    Post subject: Thanks! Reply with quote

Ron Domeck wrote:
Sway bar size is 14mm and I think beetle is about 12-13mm. I know beetle is smaller. I would put the stock size bar with the new style clamps. Also factory specs say tire pressure Rear 27 lbs. Front 18 lbs.


Hi Ron and Thanks for the info!

as far as the new style clamps you refer too, are those the stainless steel
clamps that look like large hose clamps?

T
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Ron Domeck
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 1:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yep.
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doublecanister
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 2:25 pm    Post subject: suggestions Reply with quote

taking Ron's suggestion here, I had a few more questions
(Ron I PM"d You as well)

I see CIP has these kits for sale:
do you think the red polyurethane bushings would work with a stock 14mm sway bar?
If so,
would the red polyurethane bushings work with the stock clamps?

(edit) Jbugs has the SS clamps and the urethane bushings in a kit.
hopefully I picked the correct one for a THING
http://www.jbugs.com/product/9592.html

(links to the large, small clamps and the urethane bushings)
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C26%2D401%2D141L
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C26%2D401%2D141S
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C26%2D401%2D140
(edit):Unfortunately the red urethane bushings are out of stock at this time.

or the alternative, go Stock clamps:
http://www.thingsforthething.com/catalog/index.php...cts_id=417

or these stock clamps from CIP
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C24-111-498-101-A2

I obviously could use the new SS type clamps but was curious if the stock type and the red poly bushings would work.

however I do this, I think it would help with the sway I'm experiencing.

for some crazy reason I'm wondering how this would look but since I just noticed I didn't even have a sway bar (still suffering from the DUH moment)
I'm not sure why I'm even bothering to worry bout looks! LOL Shocked

Thanks again Ron and the Rest for any input!
Tom.
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Ron Domeck
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 3:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The polyurethane bushings I have on my tan car are noisy and over the years has started to crumble. I said the stainless clamps because they are easy to use. This is not a Indy race car so no need to overkill. My stock 2 cars have stock bushings and clamps and my purple flame car has stock bushings and stainless clamps.
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doublecanister
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 3:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ron Domeck wrote:
The polyurethane bushings I have on my tan car are noisy and over the years has started to crumble. I said the stainless clamps because they are easy to use. This is not a Indy race car so no need to overkill. My stock 2 cars have stock bushings and clamps and my purple flame car has stock bushings and stainless clamps.


Indy race car! LOL, well it is a Dover race car for sure!
Been there, done the laps! Very Happy

note taken there,
I have heard urethane bushings can squeak, not seen them go brittle though.
good to know, as always,
Thanks Ron!

T
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Ron Domeck
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 7:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Put my tan car in my trailer and I have black carpet, move it out and had red dust were all the bushing were.
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citroen
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 9:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Listen to my Brother Ron use the stainless clamps and the stock bushings you will have to in large the bushings if you use the stock bug style bushings since the thing uses a larger sway bar that is also what is on my thing that I drive every day for the last 5 years and 22,000 miles and it also was on the Dover Race track Thanks from the Domeck Brothers. I think I found they looked better with the bolts the other way but they work either way
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doublecanister
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 3:21 pm    Post subject: bit o' update Reply with quote

hey Folks,

well I found me a used THING sway bar and its on the way
as well as I ordered the clamps and bushings as well.

maybe this stuff will arrive and give me something to do this weekend!

not sure how much different it will drive but I hope it's more stable.

I wonder how many other THINGS out there are missing sway bars?

(probably just me Embarassed )

T
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