Has anyone ever put in a larger (i.e diameter) front sway bar in their 1960’s/1970’s Cadillac? If so, have you driven it hard enough to notice any handling difference? Tell me your experience!
I replaced the 13/16" diameter stock front stabilizer bar on my 1964 Coupe de Ville with the thicker 15/16" bar from a 1964 Series 75 and it has much less body roll in the corners, staying much more level. It is an easy upgrade for the 63/64 Cadillacs.
Hmmmm. I wonder if the late 60s had a heavier bar for the series 75s??
Another item to consider is the urethane bushings kit. Less distortion where the links are.
I added a rear sway bar to my 62, and increased the size of the
front bar. It made a world of difference, and became the standard
for all my later cars. Developed better end links as well. Bruce Roe
I installed a rear sway bar on my '72 Eldo, and the handling difference is huge.
No need to do anything with the front one.
Bruce. >:D
Has anyone done this to a 56?
Where are you getting these rear sway bars? Are they universal or model specific? Are there any downsides?
I have found that Addco has the largest selection of Cadillac specific sway bars, both front and rear, along with all the hardware.
Going further back a few years, I installed a thicker ADDCO front bar on my '49 and it handles and steers much better than before. The thicker ADDCO bar is a copy of the bar used on '49 limos and hearses.
Quote from: WTL on February 03, 2018, 08:09:10 PM
Where are you getting these rear sway bars? Are they universal or model specific? Are there any downsides?
It was a pity that Cadillac was never into any sort of road handling available for their cars until the late models, and never made a rear sway bar available.
I made my sway bar using a Holden Vectra bar and modified the mounting brackets and fitted them to the rear axle brackets and the frame.
A rear bar is best fitted before considering modifying the front bar, as there is a lot of soft-swinging metal at the back, especially with the Eldorado, and a flexible convertible.
My car now rides as flat as a Corvette on the tightest of turns, whereas before, the outside of the body would nearly rub on the ground. Limited my capability of taking corners at any sort of speed.
Bruce. >:D
Larry (cadman56),
I replaced my sway bar on my 56 CDV last year. I had previously replaced the 49 and 53 sway bars with new larger diameter ADDCO made a lot of difference. As far as I can tell ADDCO is the only company that makes them. Other re-sellers like PST have them also but from ADDCO.
PM me if you want more into.
The Johnny
I have a '55 CDV that I have been restoring for 6 years. I had a local company make me a 7/8" dia. front bar and a custom 3/4" rear bar with urethane bushings for both. The company is Quickor Garage in Portland OR. See www.quickorgarage.com Very happy with the set up.
Have not driven the car yet but I expect it to have minimal body roll. The rest of the suspension is new but all stock springs/bushings etc. Also have radial tires.
John Adams
Interesting discussion....When I bought my '56 Sedan de Ville, it had a rear sway bar which was added by the first owner. When I restored the car, I deleted that rear sway bar. I drove the car first with bias play tires (it was a nightmare) and soon after, I installed radial tires. I'm driving rather fast, sometimes faster than the average people and never felt the need for a more efficient sway bar nor regretted the elimination or the rear one.
The '57 Brougham still has it's original sway bar and don't have the need for something "better". The '56 Biarritz is driven more carefully; not because of the suspension but because of those crappy bias-ply tires.
Yeah, thanks. I've been looking for a source for new. Mine's bent on one side. No sense putting another worn out used one on.
I'd recommend that you use them, change all bushings, and heavier isn't going to hurt in handling, body roll, wheel hop, tire wear, etc. but may have trouble finding bushings and clamps for larger dia. unless this Addco place supplies?
Even the repro bushings aren't always correct. I had to make the slice (Steele) to put on and the other suppliers were completely wrong for the clamps.
I feel the early stock ones are a bit wimpy compared to later. This has come up before, someone was having some made 1" a few years ago but not sure if on here.
Quote from: cadman56 on February 03, 2018, 08:06:03 PM
Has anyone done this to a 56?
Yes, I have added a thicker (ADDCO) sway bar to a 56. And to a 55. And a 54. And to a 51. And a 50. And a 49. It makes a world of difference in handling and confidence. One of the best things you can do.
My 1970 Cadillac really handles well and it is in top repair, suspension included. I never feel limited by it driving the curved roads or making turns. Never really thought about changing to a heavy bar. I'm a fast driver, generally the guy in the left lane flashing my lights for the slow pokes to get out of the way.
First make sure that all bushings (front and rear) are in perfect condition, as this can contribute to poor handling. If they are original or have not been replaced in three decades they are very likely not adequate.
The urethane bushings can actually make handling worse, so be careful with that idea.