texasz Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 I thought that there were some threads that discussed this and had pix of the damage as well as the solutions to fix/prevent this (i.e. boxing in the framerail at the mounting location and running the mounting bolt all the way through from top to bottom). However, I can not locate this information and more importantly I could not find any pix! Can anyone please help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240Z2NV Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 You pretty much summed it all up. I used very thick (.25" I believe) angle steel as opposed to a true 'boxing' in. Made template for holes, drilled holes into reinforcing piece, and welded about eight inch piece in place. The only issue is whether or not you want to cut out the OE 'nuts' inside the rail and go all the way through or just reinforce the rail and use the OE 'nuts'. I have done it on my last three 240s (it is a very common problem with oversized sway bars on early Zs) and never run the bolt through. But, I'm not doing full-on racing either. I solid welded the entire edge of the reinforcing pieces; but, after reading here more I would have stitch welded the edges instead if done again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasz Posted September 5, 2005 Author Share Posted September 5, 2005 I am still seeking before and after pix if anyone has some... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted September 5, 2005 Share Posted September 5, 2005 I can get you some before pics this week probly.. Just noticed my frame rail pulling apart due to the large sway bar stressing it. The whole front end of my Z was repaired before I bought it, and I left it alone. Now 2 years later, I'm starting to notice how bad it really is.. There won't be any after pics for a while though... I'm taking the car off the road the end of the month, but I may not have a space to work on it this winter, and I'm wanting to do it right. IE; motor/rad pulled, suspension and x-member pulled, prety much replace evrything from the rails up.. about 8". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preith Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 Unfortunately I don't have any pic's readily available, but I modified mine as well. I kept the OE nuts on the bottom, and ran high strength threaded rod up through the frame rail. I also welded a .125" plate on the top for reinforcement. It seems to be holding up well under road race conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterZ Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 On the last one I did I drilled a larger holes through the top of the frame rail and inserted a tube for each bolt. I then welded the tubes and additional material to the top rails. That way the bolts don't try to deform the top portion of the rail. The tubes stick out slightly from the top rail so the welds didn't need grinding. Talk about overkill. It's practically a towing attachment but they haven't broken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forrest Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 The best solution (IMO) is to put a strut cage in the front of the car that transfers the force from the swaybar over the top strut bar. http://www.pdkfabrication.com makes them (they are also hybridz members.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74_5.0L_Z Posted September 6, 2005 Share Posted September 6, 2005 When I made my new front frame rails, I retained the stock sway bar mounting point. I want something a bit more resilient than the stock nut plate so here is what I did: I drilled 1/2" holes through the entire frame, then inserted a 1/2" OD (3/8" ID) tube through the frame and weld it flush on both sides. Then I inserted 3/8" Grade 8 bolts and washers all the way through the frame to hold the sway bar. You can just see the heads of the bolts in this picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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