Sway Bar End Links - Correct Finish & Bushings

[jeff68]

Are all components of the front sway bar end links (bolts, nuts, washers & spacers) supposed to be silver zinc or cad?  I can't tell from my original parts.

Also, does anyone know where to get the correct end link bushings?  My original bushings are slightly taller and a different shape than the generic replacemment style bushings.  These look like the correct bushings, but only appear to be available as part of a kit:
http://www.heartbeatcity.com/store/product/19683/Camaro-Sway-bar-end-link-kit--exact--67-68-69/

[Gramps69Z]

Silver cad and check with your local NAPA store or parts house.

[jeff68]

I had a chance to start cleaning my original end links today.  The thick washers have a yellow tint to them, so they are definitely zinc dichromate.  Everything else appears to have been silver zinc.

[rszmjt]

Are all components of the front sway bar end links (bolts, nuts, washers & spacers) supposed to be silver zinc or cad?  I can't tell from my original parts.

Also, does anyone know where to get the correct end link bushings?  My original bushings are slightly taller and a different shape than the generic replacement style bushings.  These look like the correct bushings, but only appear to be available as part of a kit:
http://www.heartbeatcity.com/store/product/19683/Camaro-Sway-bar-end-link-kit--exact--67-68-69/

AMK has them, and they have the same smudge/ink ?  marks as the heartbeat ones. I just got some and they are identical. $4 for 4, you need 8 BTW.

http://www.amkproducts.com/bulk3.asp?part=B%2D10243

[jeff68]

^^Thanks.  Too bad I already ordered the kit from HBC.  Oh well.

[jeff68]

In case anyone is interested: 
Not sure is the different plants used diffferent sway bar end links, but the "exact" reproduction end link set I bought doesn't match my original end links at all (except at least the bushings appear to be the right shape).
Differences:
1)  Original bolts are 3/8", new ones are 5/16" and slightly shorter than originals.
2)  Original nuts are all-metal lock nuts, new ones are not lock nuts.
3)  Original spacer tube is slightly longer & heavier wall than repro.
4)  Original washers are much thicker & different shape than repros.

[68camaroz28]

In case anyone is interested:  
Not sure is the different plants used diffferent sway bar end links, but the "exact" reproduction end link set I bought doesn't match my original end links at all (except at least the bushings appear to be the right shape).
Differences:
1)  Original bolts are 3/8", new ones are 5/16" and slightly shorter than originals.
2)  Original nuts are all-metal lock nuts, new ones are not lock nuts.
3)  Original spacer tube is slightly longer & heavier wall than repro.
4)  Original washers are much thicker & different shape than repros.

Interesting as I found differences from the kit we purchased from HBC vs. originals and a NOS set I had. Orig. spacer tube is heavier wall & larger dia. than repro but slightly shorter than repro. The rubber spacers both on the NOS and orig. sets we have are the same but our repro kit rubber spacers were smaller in both dia. and overall length. The left side rubber piece is a NOS piece (again same as originals I have) vs. the repro one on the right. The middle one is from a kit purchased in the mid 80's, non GM, but is close.

[jeff68]

Thanks for the original bushing pics Chick.  My original bushings were in tough shape, so I guess maybe they weren't the best to use for comparison.  I also purchased a repro end link kit, but in the early 90's, and installed it on the car.  The car is at the body shop now, so I can't take a look at it.  From my old pictures, it looks like they may have the larger diameter bushings.  If so, I'll probably use them based on the info you provided.  If you decide you have no use for the extra set of bushings, please let me know.  Thanks again.

[rszmjt]

 Jeff -

AMK also has the larger diameter bushings although in their description they show it as a shock bushing -

http://www.amkproducts.com/bulk3.asp?part=B%2D10237

This bushing below is shown as a shock or sway bar end link bushing and the GM part # 381957 is the same part number shown in my 69 AIM Assembly Book-

http://www.amkproducts.com/bulk3.asp?part=B%2D10243

I also have a set of the HBC repos and the bolts are exactly the same as my original 69 bolts, they have a WB head marking and are 3/8 shaft with smaller 5/16 thread at the top.

Can someone check their 68 AIM and see if the part number for the bushings ( 381957) and through bolt ( 8790332) is different from 69?

[jeff68]

^^ Interesting.  Thanks for the links.  Looks like I bought a set of 69 end links.  I hate making mistakes like that.  Oh well, buyer beware I guess.  I'll have to put them up for sale over on TC.
 
The dimensions (and shape) of the larger bushings on AMK match up almost exactly with the bushings I got in a Moog K6678 end link kit.  The K6678 kit bushings are black thermoplastic and they look like rubber, so I may use them.  

Another interesting point:  The repro end links I bought in the 90's were from Ricks, and look almost like my originals.  The Rick's catalog (hard copy) still pictures the 68 style end links that I bought, but their on-line catalog shows the 69 style end links (same as HBC).

[68Zproject]

Jeff -

AMK also has the larger diameter bushings although in their description they show it as a shock bushing -

http://www.amkproducts.com/bulk3.asp?part=B%2D10237

This bushing below is shown as a shock or sway bar end link bushing and the GM part # 381957 is the same part number shown in my 69 AIM Assembly Book-

http://www.amkproducts.com/bulk3.asp?part=B%2D10243

I also have a set of the HBC repos and the bolts are exactly the same as my original 69 bolts, they have a WB head marking and are 3/8 shaft with smaller 5/16 thread at the top.

Can someone check their 68 AIM and see if the part number for the bushings ( 381957) and through bolt ( 8790332) is different from 69?

My 68 AIM shows the bushings to be 381957.  The through bolt is 3790332.  I assume these are both the same and your bolt # was a typo?

[rszmjt]

Jeff -

AMK also has the larger diameter bushings although in their description they show it as a shock bushing -

http://www.amkproducts.com/bulk3.asp?part=B%2D10237

This bushing below is shown as a shock or sway bar end link bushing and the GM part # 381957 is the same part number shown in my 69 AIM Assembly Book-

http://www.amkproducts.com/bulk3.asp?part=B%2D10243

I also have a set of the HBC repos and the bolts are exactly the same as my original 69 bolts, they have a WB head marking and are 3/8 shaft with smaller 5/16 thread at the top.

Can someone check their 68 AIM and see if the part number for the bushings ( 381957) and through bolt ( 8790332) is different from 69?

My 68 AIM shows the bushings to be 381957.  The through bolt is 3790332.  I assume these are both the same and your bolt # was a typo?

Not a typo, but the 8 might be a 3, the ink printing is very hard to read in my aim at that part number, so I am guessing it is a 3.

If you go onto the AMK link it shows the 381957 to be the correct bushing, I ordered some recently from AMK and they are the small diameter bushings same as HBC. Unfortunately I changed my originals back in the 70,s they are long gone so I can not say if they were big or small diameter. The bolts are original though and they are WB head marks.
 I wonder if any one has a KNOWN original car with untouched link kits and they can check the diameter of the bushings?
A friend has a very well known DOCUMENTED unmolested 6,000 original miles- 67 Corvette 427/435HP, I am going to check it out as well as his AIM for that part number. I will re post soon.

[JohnZ]

'67 Corvette used:

3817575 bolt (WB2C)
3817574 spacer
381957 bushings
5544049 retainers
3654642 nut

[rszmjt]

John Z is bang on as usual!

The 6,000 mile 67 Corvette has WB2C bolts and the bushings are the small diameter ones the same size as the AMK Bushings B-10243 which show the GM part number # 381957.
 I also looked at his 70 Ram Air 4 Trans Am, 20,000 mile car, TOTALY original, it also has small diameter bushings and the WB bolts have WB only.

I have pulled off 1 of my original WB bolts, and I was surprised to find the bolt shank diameter is .342 ( 11/32") NOT 3/8" as I posted earlier. They do have 5/16 Thread on the top. The HBC bolts are the same diameter, as well as another set I have. I allways thought they were 3/8" but they are not.

The AMK small diameter bushings apprear to be correct at this time, and the hole size is smaller than 3/8 to correspond with original bolts. I also checked some Generic aftermarket link kits and they are 3/8" bolts with the larger diameter type bushings.

 Chick and Jeff - I Hope this helps.

[68Zproject]

I have a set of originals on my 68 that came off a 68 front end that was parted out.  It was original and not in the best of shape.  I will check them at some point, but it's a little too cold for me to get out and measure at the moment.