St front sway bar fitment issues

[kko110]

Hi there, 

I am rebuilding a bmw 2002 72 here in NZ to origional spec apart from a few handling upgrades. I had to fit a replacement nose from w&n and it seemed like a good fit until it came to fitting the front subframe back in. The tow hooks interfered with the nose panel so I removed a small section of the tow hook and welded it back in place but now my new ST sway bar from IE won't fit because there is a large joggle in the sway bar compared to the origional that now interferes with the inside of the new nose panel... Why ST decided to put such a large joggle is making my head scratch as there doesn't appear that there is anything to avoid in this area. Has anyone else had this issue? It doesn't look like there has ever been any impact in this area nor are there any obvious signs of chassis rail work... 

Help please 

 

[tzei]

Does turning it around help or make it worse?

[adawil2002]

To fit this anti-swaybar will have to to lower the front subframe an inch to an inch & a half or purchase the under subframe adapters from Ireland Engineering or Roger's Tii.

[kko110]

Turning around makes it just OK at ride height but if both wheels compress it would clash.... 

Definately not that keen on lowering the subframe as that will put the lower arms in not a fovourable position... 

I guess I could get somebody to heat the bar up and bend it then re heat treat it but if I am going to that hassle I might as well make one from scratch without the excessive joggle... 

[irdave]

With my ST bar I had to bend the tow hooks.

 

And welcome to the forum.

 

Apparently not 'welcome!'  You've been here for 10 years with 13 posts?!  That's awesome!

 

 

Edited July 8, 2021 by irdave

[jgerock]

My tii has a replacement nose and ST 22mm front bar (and AC). The bar was flipped upside down to fit and it will rub against the lower nose.  I suggest gently heating the lower nose and use a pry bar to make some clearance.

[visionaut]

Sway bar fitment issues discussed extensively here. I believe the joggle helps the bar work with AC cars. And the fit is tight at the nose regardless of new panel or not…

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/265693-ac-and-non-ac-front-sway-bar

 

[Mike Self]

19 minutes ago, visionaut said:

I believe the joggle helps the bar work with AC cars. And the fit is tight at the nose regardless of new panel or not…

Visionaut is correct WRT A/C component clearance. 

 

When I went to fit a 22mm front bar on my '73--with its original, unmolested nose--it cleared the tow rings but I had to use a small pry bar to move the lower lip of the nose out of the way on both sides so I could slide the bar in place.  Even after that it remains a very close clearance between bar and nose, but apparently doesn't rub as there are no shiny spots on either the swaybar or the sheet metal.

 

mike

[BarrettN]

So far what I've found refers to the ST sway bars - anyone have comparison data for IE bars? 

Thanks, 

Barrett 

[tech71]

6 hours ago, kko110 said:

I guess I could get somebody to heat the bar up and bend it then re heat treat it

I would not recommend that course of action....

 

Why not just remove the tow hooks as part of the "non original suspension upgrade? They are crap for towing/pulling anyway, serve no real purpose I am aware of.

A few minutes with a mini grinder/cutter wheel and problem solved.

Even better, hammer them out of the way. Why throw more cash at it?

Edited July 8, 2021 by tech71

[visionaut]

25 minutes ago, BarrettN said:

So far what I've found refers to the ST sway bars - anyone have comparison data for IE bars? 

Thanks, 

Barrett 

The IE sway mounts totally different, much farther rearward - nowhere near the nose sheet metal.

 

a pic from a search…

[FunElan]

It's painful to do with a new nose....but I had to bend the lip of the nose panel just a tad to get it in. 

[Son of Marty]

As above the ie bar would be the easy way to go it's just time and money altho you could continue assembly while you wait or you could massage the lip forward enough by heating the paint lightly with a heat gun and with some wood blocking gentaly hammer the lip forward enough. I would go with option 1 in my case but your choise. Thats going to a beautiful 02 when your done.

[kko110]

Thanks everyone for your help.

After molestig my other 02 for an S14 conversion and extensive mods I promised myself I would keep this as origional as possible other than a few reversable suspension mods so I don't want to cut and shut anything. I did t want to use an IE bar as they hang very low and dont really want it to be visible. So since I dont want to clearance the new nose I think I will have to make a new bar myself from 4130... I will post pics once done... 

Thanks for all of your advice 

[wkohler]

My tii has a bar like that IE one shown.  I can’t figure out what it is though.  At the current time the oil pan is resting on it.