Making the Pedders ZL sway even better

[jeremywes]

For a little background I bought the FE4 ZL sway about 4 months ago. It performed well but I kept hearing some knocking when the rear suspension would cycle quickly due to small bumps, holes etc.

While doing an inspection after a weekend at the track I noticed the sway bar bushing was loose inside the bracket.

Here are some pictures of how I fixed the problem

First a look at the original part you can see that there is play in both lateral and vertical directions




Here is a good view of how much play is on each bushing


Here is the new aluminum bracket and solid bushing from Provenwicked.com


Close up, you can see these are some Bad _ss brackets ;-)


These are actually designed for use as part of the Proven wicked rear FE3 sway bar but with a few modifications it can be used with any 1.25" bar. As you can see the factory bolts don't fit and must be replaced.


Some 7/16ths holes and the new hardware drops right in


I'm using 12.9 allen head bolts because a socket wouldn't fit into the bracket bolt holes and should be rated about 25,000 psi stronger than the factory bolts.


Some test fitment to get outside edge measurements for locating the bearing


Measures 28 1/4 from outside edge to outside edge


The locating tabs on the Pedders bar is 25" apart so subtracted that from the 28 1/4 measurement and each side needed to be located 1.625" from the tab.


And here are some final shots. They have ZERO play vertically or horizontally but because of the bushing design they will allow the bar to flex (Bow) and twist as anti sway bars are designed to do. And no more NOISE!

[mp51998]

That looks sweet. I'll have to check mine. I haven't heard any noises but better check anyway. Thx for the write up.

[quualudes]

I have my bars coming soon! So this seems like a reasonable thing to do out of the gate. Do you have any links to the required parts for the Google-challenged?

I am not Google-challenged, I just hate buying the wrong parts because I assumed I understood what I needed to get.

Thanks!

[JusticePete]

jeremywes, I am so sorry you encountered this issue. We have Special bushes for the FE4 / 5 / 6 Brackets that fit perfectly. The bushes you had were for FE3 brackets. Your solution obviously resolved the bush / bracket fit issue. Please drop me a PM and let me know what other suspension bits you may need or want. I owe you a special discount for your troubles.

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by quualudes

I have my bars coming soon! So this seems like a reasonable thing to do out of the gate. Do you have any links to the required parts for the Google-challenged?

I am not Google-challenged, I just hate buying the wrong parts because I assumed I understood what I needed to get.

Thanks!

You won't need them. Your bars should have shipped with the correct bushes for your 12 sway bar straps. If they do not fit correctly, let us know immediately so we can get you the right bushes for your straps.

[quualudes]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

You won't need them. Your bars should have shipped with the correct bushes for your 12 sway bar straps. If they do not fit correctly, let us know immediately so we can get you the right bushes for your straps.

Cool! Thanks for the info!

[cpc63]

Thought you should not use that bar on a V6 car because of possible caliper rub???

[IPT]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

You won't need them. Your bars should have shipped with the correct bushes for your 12 sway bar straps. If they do not fit correctly, let us know immediately so we can get you the right bushes for your straps.

Phew, good to know. Didn't seem right that Pedders would ship a bar with a bsuhing that mated poorly with it. I'll be sure to check mine as soon as I get. I'd hate to realize it during the install!

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by cpc63

Thought you should not use that bar on a V6 car because of possible caliper rub???

We have two test cars that have been running our Z bar since mid summer. When the 6s are lifted on a hoist the bar come very close to the rear brake caliper banjo0 bolt. When the weight of the car is on the wheels they are not close together. If you lift a Chrysler LX (Charger, Challenger, 300C) on a hoist the rear endlink make contact with other parts. It is not an issue on the LX because it is such a rare occurrence on the road the the suspension would be fully unloaded i.e. an airborne vehicle.

We are not ready to say the Z bar is 100% approved for use on a V6., but our revised Z bar looks like it just maybe good to go on a 6.

[jeremywes]

Originally Posted by quualudes

I have my bars coming soon! So this seems like a reasonable thing to do out of the gate. Do you have any links to the required parts for the Google-challenged?

I am not Google-challenged, I just hate buying the wrong parts because I assumed I understood what I needed to get.

Thanks!

As Pete mentioned you shouldn't have to but if you are still interested here is the link to the Spherate Pillow Block Mounts, and the bolts are 10x1.50mm.

http://provenwicked.com/product_deta...CID=OA==&VID=3

[jeremywes]

Update - No other mods, Similar weather and took 4 seconds off my lap time at Houston MSR.

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by jeremywes

Update - No other mods, Similar weather and took 4 seconds off my lap time at Houston MSR.

Now that is what we like to hear!!!!

[caverman]

I'll throw in my experience with the same type of issue. A condensed version of the story is that I put on the Pedders ZL1 bars and ended up finding the same issue as the OP had. After calling up Pete and working with him one-on-one about the issue he determined I had the FE3 bushings but I had switched out the FE4 straps without his or my knowledge. I had bent my original OEM straps and got some new ones that I thought where FE3 straps...come to find out they were FE4. For what ever reason there is about 1/8" difference between the FE3 and FE4 straps. So, it's very important to know which type of straps you have and which type of bushings you have Pete send to you. Also, as Pete as mentioned before....if it's not a perfect fit then something is wrong and you should contact him to help find out the problem.

**No need to pay for aftermarket straps***

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by caverman

I'll throw in my experience with the same type of issue. A condensed version of the story is that I put on the Pedders ZL1 bars and ended up finding the same issue as the OP had. After calling up Pete and working with him one-on-one about the issue he determined I had the FE3 bushings but I had switched out the FE4 straps without his or my knowledge. I had bent my original OEM straps and got some new ones that I thought where FE3 straps...come to find out they were FE4. For what ever reason there is about 1/8" difference between the FE3 and FE4 straps. So, it's very important to know which type of straps you have and which type of bushings you have Pete send to you. Also, as Pete as mentioned before....if it's not a perfect fit then something is wrong and you should contact him to help find out the problem.

**No need to pay for aftermarket straps***