17 replies to this topic

[jmchin]

With the updated rules stating that we can use a centering ring for the rear sway bar. Is it worth the effort to use something to keep the bar from shifting?

If so what has everyone used to keep it from moving?

[Bench Racer]

Yes. it's worth keeping the sway bars from binding. Because I had the sway bars without the side load ring welded on I used a teflon flat washer on the inside of each side with small hose clamp.

[john mueller]

Yes. it's worth keeping the sway bars from binding. Because I had the sway bars without the side load ring welded on I used a teflon flat washer on the inside of each side with small hose clamp.

Dave, could you post a photo of this... As usual I be lost

[Bench Racer]

John, have never posted a picture.

See below:

The center line of the sway bar ----- travels horizontally through X,W,H's. (Bushings, washers, hose clamps.) The welded on side load ring would have been located where the "W"washer/"H"hose clamp is if that style of bar had been purchased.

The "X" would be the sway bar red bushing on each side of car.

The "W" would be the teflon flat washer on each side of car. I might have cut a flat on one side of the washer where it fits near the chassis.

The "H" would be the hose clamp on each side of the car.


Looking at the sway bar from the rear

XWH---------------------HWX

After install you can not push the sway bar end to end sideways.

Oh $hit EDIT:

Lay the flat washer flat & slit one side on a diagonal with a razor blade. Slit washer is required so the washer will force fit over the round sway bar. First I tried a split collar but it was to large to fit. It hit the chassis.

[john mueller]

John, have never posted a picture.

See below:

The center line of the sway bar ----- travels horizontally through X,W,H's. (Bushings, washers, hose clamps.) The welded on side load ring would have been located where the "W"washer/"H"hose clamp is if that style of bar had been purchased.

The "X" would be the sway bar red bushing on each side of car.

The "W" would be the teflon flat washer on each side of car. I might have cut a flat on one side of the washer where it fits near the chassis.

The "H" would be the hose clamp on each side of the car.


Looking at the sway bar from the rear

XWH---------------------HWX

After install you can not push the sway bar end to end sideways.

Ahhhhh - I get it. Neat. Thanks!

[Zauskycop]

I did essentially the same thing, but cut a bit of extra radiator hose to wrap around the bar about 80% of the way, about 1/2 or so inch wide, then put a hose clamp around it.

[forestdweller37]

Go to www.mcmaster.com and search for "shaft collar".

-Chris

[Juan Pineda]

I like the idea of McMaster Carr. What dimensions for shaft collars: 1) Diameter of sway bar, and 2) overall diameter of collar so it doesn't rub on chassis? If you can point me to a specific part to order, that would be great.

Thanks!
-Juan

[Bench Racer]

I also bought collars from an Ace hardware. To big in diameter. Required maching. Used Teflon washers with small hose clamp.

[steveracer]

For a 1.6 car, the bar diameter is 15mm, you will have to grind the outer diameter for clearance.

[DionJ]

If I put a spacer under the mounts to move the bar back enough for a collar to fit am I breaking the rules? turning the collar down you'd have to grind the heads of the bolts too, and the hose clamp is funky...

[Bench Racer]

If I put a spacer under the mounts to move the bar back enough for a collar to fit am I breaking the rules? and the hose clamp is funky...

Washers under the mounts are free. Spacers under the mounts would not be free, they would be funky & illegal.

[fishguyaz]

Washers under the mounts are free. Spacers under the mounts would not be free, they would be funky & illegal.

how is a washer considered different than a spacer? they both do the same thing?

[Bench Racer]

how is a washer considered different than a spacer? they both do the same thing?

Naw, not really.

That would be sort of like saying $4.00 per gallon gas & $40.00 per gallon are equal.

Or more simply put there is a rule in the GCR Spec Miata that says washers are free. There is no rule about spacers.

This is a class of rules where within the GCR there is a statement that says "If it don't say you can, you can't"

[Richard Pressman]

That would be sort of like saying $4.00 per gallon gas & $40.00 per gallon are equal.

Naw, not really.

The GCR also states that no legal part may also perform an illegal function. At least in the cars I've seen with stock sway bars there has been no washer between the bracket and the frame. I'm pretty sure the spec suspension kit doesn't contain one (or four).

Sorry, adding a washer under a bracket which didn't have one originally to raise that bracket and change its position IS using the washer as a spacer. The result is that you are changing the mounting position -pickup points- of the sway bar. And I believe that is specifically dis-allowed in the GCR.

Just because it says washers are free doesn't mean you can go put them anywhere. It means you can take a stock Mazda supplied washer and substitute a Home Depot grade 8/McMaster-Carr titainium/Ace Hardware galvanized, etc.

JMO
YMMV

[Bench Racer]

Naw, not really.

Sorry, adding a washer under a bracket which didn't have one originally to raise that bracket and change its position IS using the washer as a spacer. The result is that you are changing the mounting position -pickup points- of the sway bar. And I believe that is specifically dis-allowed in the GCR.

I will suggest that if the sway bars were part of tech some bushings have been modified & or some will have washers behind the sway bar mount to free up the rotation of the sway bar. If they were part of tech a bunch of racers would get DQ'ed.

IMHJ
David

[dstevens]

Just because it says washers are free doesn't mean you can go put them anywhere. It means you can take a stock Mazda supplied washer and substitute a Home Depot grade 8/McMaster-Carr titainium/Ace Hardware galvanized, etc.

Yep, that's exactly what that means. Us Johnny-come-latelies don't need to fret. The new rear bars have the rigs built in. If they didn't I like the ground collar idea. Hose clamps and tubing seem a bit Whisky Tango to me.

Dave

[Tom Hampton]

Whisky tango... ha... nice!