QA1 P-N 52850 Big Wheel Front Rear Sway Bar Kit Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- QA1
Table of Contents
QA1 P-N 52850 Big Wheel Front Rear Sway Bar Kit
Product Information
The product is a front sway bar and a rear sway bar designed for ’71-’76 GM B-Body vehicles. It is manufactured by QA1 and comes with the part numbers 52850 for the front sway bar and 52851 for the rear sway bar. The sway bars are designed to improve the handling and stability of the vehicle by reducing body roll during cornering.
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES REQUIRED
- Floor Jack
- Jack Stands
- Ratchet & Socket Set
- Torque Wrench
Removal
- Raise and support the vehicle with jack stands on a level surface.
- Remove the sway bar end links from the sway bar. It may be necessary to hold the stud with a wrench while removing the nut.
- Unbolt the sway bar bushing mounting clamps from the frame.
- The sway bar can now be removed from the vehicle.
Installation
-
Install the included frame brackets to the existing frame holes with the brackets biased towards the front of the vehicle using 3/8” x 1” thin head bolts. Torque to 31 lb. ft. (Figure 1)
-
Apply a small amount of red Loctite to the 1-1/4” studs and thread them into the frame brackets as shown, finger tight.
-
Apply the supplied grease liberally on the supplied sway bar bushings. Install the bushings on the sway bar then using the clamps from the kit, mount the sway bar to the frame brackets with the legs of the sway bar on the top side of the lower control arms. Secure the bar clamps to the bracket with one 3/8” washer and nylon nut per connection. Torque to 31 lb. ft. Figure 2.
-
Compress the suspension by setting the vehicle on the ground before connecting the sway bar end links to the control arm. The new end link bushings having never been compressed and can make the bolt appear to betoo short. Further compression of the sway bar to control arm may bene pessary to get the end link nut started.
-
Install the supplied end link kits the same way the OEM links were installed.
Torque the end link bolts to 10-18 lb. ft. Tightening to a lower torque will reduce the response time of the sway bar (allowing more body roll), while higher torque values will stiffen the chassis and make the sway bar more responsive. -
Check for any contact with the steering linkage, brake line or frame braces. Turn the wheel from full-lock left to full-lock right to verify sufficient clearance. Adjust the sway bar as needed.
-
Use caution on the first test drive until you are accustomed to the vehicles new response to steering inputs.
Technical Support Line: 952-985-5675 Email: sales@QA1.net
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY PRIOR TO STARTING INSTALLATION. PRODUCTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RETURN. USE THE PROPER JACKING LOCATIONS. DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY CAN RESULT IF INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT CORRECTLY FOLLOWED. A GOOD CHASSIS MANUAL, AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL PARTS STORE, MAY ALSO AID IN YOUR INSTALLATION.
DISCLAIMER
QA1 WARRANTS THAT THE PRODUCTS WILL BE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP FOR ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF SALE TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER. QA1 MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. QA1 SHALL HAVE NO OBLIGATION UNDER THE FOREGOING WARRANTY WHERE THE DEFECT IS THE RESULT OF IMPROPER OR ABNORMAL USE, YOUR NEGLIGENCE, VEHICLE ACCIDENT, IMPROPER OR INCORRECT INSTALLATION OR MAINTENANCE, NOR WHEN THE PRODUCT HAS BEEN REPAIRED OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY. QA1’S LIABILITY IN THE CASE OF DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING WARRANTY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, AT QA1’S OPTION, OF THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS.
THE USER UNDERSTANDS AND RECOGNIZES THAT RACING PARTS, SPECIALIZED STREET ROD EQUIPMENT, AND ALL PARTS AND SERVICES SOLD BY QA1 ARE EXPOSED TO MANY AND VARIED CONDITIONS DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY ARE INSTALLED AND USED. QA1 SHALL BEAR NO LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY, EITHER TO A PERSON OR TO PROPERTY, RESULTING FROM THE INSTALLATION, DIRECT OR INDIRECT USE OF ANY QA1 PRODUCTS OR INABILITY BY THE BUYER TO DETERMINE PROPER USE OR APPLICATION OF QA1 PRODUCTS. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE, QA1 SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, INJURIES, DAMAGES, ACTIONS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION WHATSOEVER TO BUYER ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE USE OF ANY QA1 PRODUCTS. MOTORSPORTS ARE DANGEROUS; AS SUCH, NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE PRODUCT’S ABILITY TO PROTECT THE USER FROM INJURY OR DEATH. THE USER ASSUMES THAT RISK.
PRE-INSTALLATION NOTES-
Some exhaust systems will need to be re-routed for sway bar clearance. Be sure
to check exhaust to sway bar clearance at ride height.
REMOVAL
- Raise and support the vehicle with jack stands on a level surface.
- Remove the factory sway bar mounting hardware and remove the sway bar (if equipped
INSTALLATION
- Loosely mount the sway bar to the axle using the included u-bolt kit and sway bar bushing clamp. A small amount of the included grease on the inner bushings where the bar will contact is recommended. The legs of the bar should be pointing towards the front of the vehicle and the rear of the bar biased downward. (Figure 1-
- Leave the u-bolt connection loose until the bar is fully installed so the angle of the mount can be adjusted.
NOTE:
Dependent on the ride height of the vehicle, different end link lengths
will be needed to keep the legs of the bar parallel to the trailing arm at
ride height. Ride heights 2”- 3” lower than stock will need the end link
assembled without the red anodized sleeve.
(Figure 4) Setting the vehicle on the ground and swinging the sway bar up
toward the crossmember can help determine the length needed for installation.
- After determining the length of the end link needed, assemble the link using the male and female rod ends with jam nuts. Apply a small amount of anti-seize on the threads before assembling. (Figure 5)
- Attach the end link to the sway bar with the rod end of the end link outboard of the sway bar (wheel side of the bar) using one 3/8” washer and one nyloc nut. (Figure 6)
NOTE – The frame brackets will be mounted to the upper trailing arm crossmember using one of the existing holes in the crossmember to locate the bracket. (Figure 7) This bracket can be installed facing inboard or outboard depending on the clearances needed. Exhaust routing could interfere with sway bar mounting and the bracket position should be adjusted as needed.”
-
Mark and drill the best location where the upper bracket meets the crossmember. The end link should mount to the crossmember to provide no more than 15 degrees of vertical angle.
-
Mount the bracket to the crossmember using 3/8” x 1” hardware with two washers and one nyloc nut per connection. (Figure 8) Torque to 31 lb. ft
-
Attach the end link to the bracket using 3/8” x 2.75” hardware with two washers and one nyloc nut per connection.
-
With the vehicle at ride height, rotate the axle connections as needed to allow the end link to be as vertical as possible. When complete, torque the u-bolt connections to 50 lb. ft.
Double check all bar clearances at ride height before driving
Technical Support Line:
952-985-5675 Email:
sales@QA1.net
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY PRIOR TO STARTING INSTALLATION. PRODUCTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RETURN. USE THE PROPER JACKING LOCATIONS. DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY CAN RESULT IF INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT CORRECTLY FOLLOWED. A GOOD CHASSIS MANUAL, AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL PARTS STORE, MAY ALSO AID IN YOUR INSTALLATION.
WARRANTY
QA1 WARRANTS THAT THE PRODUCTS WILL BE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP FOR ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF SALE TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER. QA1 MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. QA1 SHALL HAVE NO OBLIGATION UNDER THE FOREGOING WARRANTY WHERE THE DEFECT IS THE RESULT OF IMPROPER OR ABNORMAL USE, YOUR NEGLIGENCE, VEHICLE ACCIDENT, IMPROPER OR INCORRECT INSTALLATION OR MAINTENANCE, NOR WHEN THE PRODUCT HAS BEEN REPAIRED OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY. QA1’S LIABILITY IN THE CASE OF DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING WARRANTY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, AT QA1’S OPTION, OF THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS.
THE USER UNDERSTANDS AND RECOGNIZES THAT RACING PARTS, SPECIALIZED STREET ROD EQUIPMENT, AND ALL PARTS AND SERVICES SOLD BY QA1 ARE EXPOSED TO MANY AND VARIED CONDITIONS DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY ARE INSTALLED AND USED. QA1 SHALL BEAR NO LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY, EITHER TO A PERSON OR TO PROPERTY, RESULTING FROM THE INSTALLATION, DIRECT OR INDIRECT USE OF ANY QA1 PRODUCTS OR INABILITY BY THE BUYER TO DETERMINE PROPER USE OR APPLICATION OF QA1 PRODUCTS. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE, QA1 SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, INJURIES, DAMAGES, ACTIONS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION WHATSOEVER TO BUYER ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE USE OF ANY QA1 PRODUCTS. MOTORSPORTS ARE DANGEROUS; AS SUCH, NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE PRODUCT’S ABILITY TO PROTECT THE USER FROM INJURY OR DEATH. THE USER ASSUMES THAT RISK
Dedicated Technical Support Team
QA1 is dedicated to providing quality support and instructions. We employ passionate racers and car enthusiasts that know our products and the industry to better serve you.
Give our tech support line a call at 1.800.721.7761
Visit online at www.QA1.net/tech or www.YouTube.com/QA1Tech for:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Quick Tips
- Install Information
- Tuning and Repair Guides
- Other Technical Information
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am to 5 pm CST.
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