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I scored a set of iPd sway bars last week--FREE! Wow, Volvo people are nice! Here’s the scoop on it. They are off an early 80s 240 turbo and the ad stated that they are heavy-duty sway bars. The front I’m sure is 25mm. The back I’m hoping is 23mm, but the more I measure it the more it appears to be 25mm too. I don’t have a proper measuring tool to find out the precise diameter of the bars, but using an adjustable wrench and measuring the distance between the clamps gave me an approximate measurement of 23-25mm. It really looks like both front and rear bars are 25mm, as both their diameters look alike. If that is the case, then they must be the iPd GT, GLT, lowered sway bars.
So my car is a 1989 245DL with stock suspension. Looking under, I can see that I have factory sway bars. Interesting to note that the rear factory bar is the same shape as the rear iPd bar, just skinnier. Both have a minor “hump” and a major hump that goes over the exhaust pipe. Having done my homework, I’m pretty sure I can put the 25mm front bar on my car. The rear 25mm bar I’m unsure of because many people have their cars set up with a thicker bar up front and a slightly thinner bar in the rear. My car isn’t lowered, turbo, or have fancy shocks. I don’t race, take my car to the track, or drive like a maniac (well, sometimes!). Is it practical and SAFE to have it set up with the 25/25mm sway bars? I live in sunny California, if this helps.
If I have the Volvo gods’ blessings, then I shall call iPd and get their bushing kit for the front. I understand the rear doesn’t need anything. Speaking of which, do my eyes deceive me or is the rear sway bar that easy to change? It looks like I just need to unbolt four bolts, take out factory sway bar, and then bolt on new sway bar. That easy?
I don’t know about what you guys think, but I’m thinking about painting them. There is some rust on the front bar, which I sanded off the other day. I still need to give them a good sanding and cleaning. I’m thinking either yellow or red. My friend says chrome black or something.
By the way, I didn’t know sway bars were that heavy! As always, a big thank you to the brickboard community!
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