tinvestor

I have the suspension together and it seems that the racing beat adjustable sway bar end link bracket is way too close to the hub (touching when jacked up) has anyone else had this problem? If you have never seen this bracket it is about 5/8" thick as compared to the stock one that is less than 1/16"

I searched but found nothing on this topic.

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

Perhaps a picture of the offending braket in place may help us give you a possible solution to you dilemma..

tinvestor

three minutes I will have it. just thought maybe someone had same problem

tinvestor

OK here are the pics and of course as the car comes up the hub gets closer to the bracket until it is actually touching to the point where you cant even turn the wheel. Obviously I wont be driving with the wheels off the ground but I am worried it will make contact when turning and hitting a bump.

tinvestor

Have you seen pics of my car? I just left that and went on to wiring and stereo installation.

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

Hmm have you considered grinding it down any?

tinvestor

That is I cut it 45 degrees all the way in to where the bolt meets the top of the bracket any more and I will need to grind the thru bolt.

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

I meant to grind the very bottom of teh bracket itself, shave it lower. Or is it the bolt that is hitting?

tinvestor

Never really thought of grinding the entire bottom down and yes the bolt is hitting also. I guess tomorrow I will have to jack it up and take a few shots with it actually touching. I dont know it just seems like maybe some ******* gave me the wrong ball joint and it is too short by an inch??

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

Thats a possibility as well. But also consider a smaller(shorter) head for the bolt itself. Seems like a good project coming to its head and wouldnt want this little annoyance to stop it.

tinvestor

Yeah and RB was no help they act like I am from mars or something.

thanks for the input.

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

ok, i just ran out to my fc to get a better look, and it appears your hub is too close to the lower control arm. The rb sway bar bracket is a bit taller than stock, and the stock unit also sweeps back a bit to clear the shock/spring as well. Though your problem lies in the ball joint

tinvestor

Could you do me a big favor?

Could you measure the ball joint from end to end?

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

Can do, will be back with results in a few minutes.....

tinvestor

cool thanks

tinvestor

I got 6 1/4" overall and 3 1/8" to centerline of first bolt.

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

I got a near 7 inch length in total, and a 3/4 inch gap between the ball joint housing and the control arm itself. I think i can get a pic if my the digi cam cam is good to go...

tinvestor

Cool at least I know that I can fix it easily. Just a PITA banging a painted ball joint into the hub without F...ing it up.

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, my cams batteries just died too...took a pic though

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

crappy quality i know, but its what ya get with a 1.3mega pixel camera and being nearly midnight with only a flashlight....

tinvestor

wow that gap does look a lot bigger and the fact that you came up with 7" for a length makes me believe some ******* gave me the wrong one for sure.

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

yeah, might save ya time from grinding now, though another trip for parts....what was wrong with a stock unit?

Also of note, my wheel was at full steering lock and on teh ground for teh picture.

tinvestor

Mine was also. Yeah parts trips for me are no big deal just done about 500 so far. Did you check out my build pics? And what is Exp do you mean escort EXP or explorer or what?

Yeah my biggest concern is that it is done right with the correct parts.

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

Ive not seen the build pics yet....and anyone whos played a RPG knows that "EXP" stands for experience. My first rotary year is coming to its head next month, will have owned my 88se for one year and so far done one motor swap and a few lil things as documented in my own thread on my project, but from what ive seen of yours its a beauty