Mark V Front Sway Bar Rod End Fitment

[Drthomasd]

Hello Everyone,

First time posting on my 30th Anniversary Mark V. Thanks for all the help!

Installing the sway bar kit and on both sides the top of the rod end hits the underside of the LCA. The manual called for a 3.25” bolt however I had to use the 4” bolts provided in the sway bar box #38 in order to have a few threads visible beyond the nut. I additionally used two 1/8” spacers to try and move the rods ends out for clearance. I have reached out to FFR support but had to leave a message. Tom


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[edwardb]

I haven't installed my Mk5 sway bar kit yet. Yea, some manual updates needed there. The proper 4" bolts were provided in my sway bar kit. And the text says to use two 1/8" spacers, even though the picture looks like only one. One hint: Keep in mind you're at full droop on the suspension. A condition that will rarely if ever happen in the real world of driving. What does it looks like with the suspension pushed up to ride height? With the LCA approximately parallel to the ground?

[rickster991]

I found a picture of mine when I was installing it. I am not with the car, but it looks like there was plenty of threads so probably 4”.

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[rich grsc]

I would just grind some clearance in the bottom of the control arm, or even the edge of the joint.
Tom I'm home tomorrow, then it would be Monday. Reach out if you need an extra eyeball on it.

[Reddrig]

Here are mine and they look the same as yours, I believe the manual called for the spacers. I also have them so I think your good unless we all screwed it up.

[CraigS]

What is the point of that 2-3" spacer sleeve? You want the link to be as close to vertical as possible. There are miniscule arcs that the bar and LCA move through to be considered but why start w/ the link at 20-30 degrees from vertical? OTOH I don't think my question will have much to do w/ the clearance to the LCA so I'd do a little grinding as rich suggests.

[rich grsc]

What is the point of that 2-3" spacer sleeve? You want the link to be as close to vertical as possible. There are miniscule arcs that the bar and LCA move through to be considered but why start w/ the link at 20-30 degrees from vertical? OTOH I don't think my question will have much to do w/ the clearance to the LCA so I'd do a little grinding as rich suggests.
I agree that just doesn't seem like a good setup

[Drthomasd]

UPDATE - FFR support confirms all will be fine once on the wheels. Showroom MKV sway bar is installed identical to my picture in post 1 and there is no interference between the top of the rod end and the underside of the LCA. Moving on!

[CraigS]

So you can never jack up the car w/o that contact occurring? That would not be acceptable to me.