Prothane bushing brackets

[JimZRyd]

Hey guys! Just received a couple sets of Prothane poly bushings for the front and rear sways on my 94. The rears came with new brackets but the fronts did not. I've tried searching the web for just the brackets. Where can I get a set? Thought I read somewhere on here that somebody picked up a universal sets from an auto parts store, but can't find a listing on anybody's site. Thanks in advance!

[WVZR-1]

Hey guys! Just received a couple sets of Prothane poly bushings for the front and rear sways on my 94. The rears came with new brackets but the fronts did not. I've tried searching the web for just the brackets. Where can I get a set? Thought I read somewhere on here that somebody picked up a universal sets from an auto parts store, but can't find a listing on anybody's site. Thanks in advance!

If these are the ones "bar to chassis frame rail" and they're dimensionally correct, I don't understand the need for brackets. The brackets are very substantial and actually fitted to a reinforcement that's flush to the chassis frame rail. Actually I don't understand the need for replacements at the rear either.

What part #'s did you buy?

[JimZRyd]

I bought the Prothane front kit, part # 7-1152. And yes the bar to frame rail bushings. The stock bracket "suspends" the bushing down about an inch or so. I am installing a set of Van Steel coilovers and will be using the relocation pieces that our good pal Carter produces. These themselves are an inch or so think and it appears if I use the factory brackets this would drop my sway bar down even more. I've seen forum members pics that showed poly bushings, I assume Prothane, with a new "brass colored" bracket. My rear set came with new brackets so I figured my front ones would too. Thanks for your note!

[Demps]

Carter's front piece.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/demps_photos/fc77cb5e.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/demps_photos/media/fc77cb5e.jpg.html)

Ted

[JimZRyd]

Exactly Ted! I've got your pics saved for reference. I know yours are for the greasable bushings. My set didn't come with any at all. Can these be purchased somewhere seperately?

[Demps]

Look at o'reillys or autozone. You can order them from summit.
Ted

[JimZRyd]

Look at o'reillys or autozone. You can order them from summit.
Ted

Thanks Ted! I've looked at those sites online and only saw where you could order the whole thing, bushings and bracket. That's what I thought I was getting. Do they sell just the bracket or am I going to have to get a whole other kit?

[Demps]

Jim,
I'm guessing both.
http://www.prothanesuspensionparts.com/191182

I can't find just the bracket anywhere.

Ted

[JimZRyd]

Thanks! I couldn't find just the brackets anywhere either. Should my kit have come with brackets? Also, does Autozone, O Riley's , etc carry these in house?

[WVZR-1]

Thanks Ted! I've looked at those sites online and only saw where you could order the whole thing, bushings and bracket. That's what I thought I was getting. Do they sell just the bracket or am I going to have to get a whole other kit?

Take the bushing that you've bought to a GM dealer and try to match it to a quality clamp. Those in that image are light-duty "fits all". The mounting holes are slotted and display absolutely no quality. I believe you should likely be able to match the bolt mounting center and the bushing fit and end up with a much better solution. I might have tried OE bushings also first for a real quality install.

Give me the width and height of the bushing you've bought.

When you install yours use OE type washer-face hex hardware for a much better and likely more secure install. The install in the image needs I'd think redone.

That kit I guess includes the sway bar link and bar end. I believe that those can likely still be done in OE. I understand the Prothane product isn't the greatest for durability. No first hand but it's mentioned frequently. Knock-off stuff? Maybe but you can't beat OE.

The 4 bushings on the rear at the ends and on the link are still available and if you buy the link (one bushing is included), I got these for FU not long ago (couple years maybe). The ones in the front at the control arm and the end of the bar are likely not so no choices there.

Carter's front piece.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/demps_photos/fc77cb5e.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/demps_photos/media/fc77cb5e.jpg.html)

Ted

[JimZRyd]

Just over 1.5" in width by 2" tall. I understand what you say by the slots being slotted, but as long as the bolts are properly tight, why would you say they show no quality at all? The company is well respected and this is how all their brackets are made. Thanks for your input too btw!

[WVZR-1]

Jim,

Did you actually put a Vernier on the rear bar to confirm it's diameter? I've seen several claims to 24 and 26 but I've never checked a later '94/'95 car. It might make a difference in some of what I've found through maybe 20 minutes of research. Some very interesting.

I'd like your confirmed dimensions or maybe someone else that has actually measured and not just assumed from the suspension charts.

If the image that was posted was maybe a "will this work/test fit" (wasn't mentioned) then maybe I shouldn't have reacted as I did but I assumed a "finished product" and I'm sorry it ain't.

Post up your dimensions of the rear bar. I believe it's safe to assume that the front is a 26.

[JimZRyd]

Actually I did not verify by measuring, just went by the charts. I'll double check tomorrow. Was just looking at the link Ted posted for Prothane parts and they do show a front bushing/bracket combo. I might just call them tomorrow and verify. I would use the factory bracket but since I have to use Carters relocation bracket, the oem bracket would lower the bar too much. I appreciate you guys input. Been planning to switch over to poly and had the Prothane kit saved on my Amazon site but I guess I jumped the gun before verifying I was getting all I needed. Thanks again!

[JimZRyd]

Measured both front and rear bars per request. 26mm front and rear. Didn't get a chance to call Prothane today but I plan to call and get the brackets they offer for the front bar. I really appreciate you guys help!

[batchman]

FWIW I've gone through a few aftermarket front bars and simply re-used the factory bracket.

I found I had to go smaller in the rear and larger in the front.

PS when installing make sure the bar rotates freely in the bushings before attaching the end links.

Cheers,
- Jeff