I just replaced both upper and lower control arms, inner and outer tie rods, springs, shocks, torsion bar bushings, sway bar bushings and end links and after all that my sway bar now rubs against the harmonic balancer. I compared each part against the original and the LOOK :16suspect exactly the same. The car was an original 6 banger and the previous owner has dropped in a 302 from a 77 fairmont. When I purchased it the front springs had been removed because one had broken. He got the old springs out but could not get new springs in and gave up out of frustration and sold the car to me. I did have the engine running with no rubbing before I installed the new parts listed above. Is their a different sway bar for an 8 cyl? Can I make some spacers to move the sway bar down enough without problems? Second question. After installing the new Moog springs that the previous owner had purchased I have a Maverick that is now aimed at the moon. It looks like it is still on the jack stands. I looked up the Moog part number and they are listed as replacements for a Maverick Grabber. I know they will settle a bit but these are off the scale. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated. After looking up spring issues in the forums I am thinking that I might cut them down slightly as a couple of other Maverick owners have done. Worst case is I purchase different springs. Thanks in advance, Don
Did you install the new bar upside down???(only thing I can think of) or your frame stands are incorrect for the application and the engine sits too low in the car. As for the springs, get a set of 6 cyl springs or cut a coil out of your new ones. Dont forget to get the front end aligned after you finally set your ride height.Good luck!!!
The sway bar is in the same position that it was originally BUT I do not know if the previous owner had it off and put it in upside down. I will look into that possibility but it seems kinda remote. As far as the springs go my plan was/is to probably cut a coil out as you suggest.
sence you dont like the nose in the air look (nobody does that i know of) you need to cut a coil to a coil and a half out of them. this will lower the car. when the car goes down the sway bar will swivel away from the balancer. you could also replace the end links with longer ones. that will move it away from the balancer.
Thanks. It looks like my weekend project is to remove the springs and cut a coil out. It's not what I was planning to do but I want to drive the Maverick before it gets too late. Thanks for the input. Don
Got the springs out and cut today. After I re-installed them I checked for sway bar clearance and now have PLENTY of clearance between sway bar and harmonic balancer. I only got some minor tweaking to do and it will be road worthy.
