Source for beefier sway bar

[Joe V]

I'd like to replace the sway bar on my 49 with the beefier version, i think the replacement is the size of the bar for the series 75. I saw an older forum post referring to PST as the source but PST's website currently shows no parts for cars older than 55. 

PST has not yet responded to my inquiry,  but has anyone purchased a bar from PST lately for an older car or know of another source?

[Bobby B]

Joe,
Hi. I'll come to your rescue. Nobody makes this sway bar but Addco. There is a direct replacement crossed over to a '53 Buick, but good luck finding it.  I thought that Scott Anderson and I purchased the last 2 bars in existence, but give it a shot. It's Addco part #2052, and it's a killer 1" diameter sway bay to fit your application, including all the hardware. A really nice package by Addco. Here's the deal with purchasing it. Everybody will take your money because it's listed ( Summit, Jeg's, etc.), but it's out of stock. i found a place that was willing to go the extra mile and stay on top of it until they had a answer from Addco on finding one. They also had the best price we could find. Super people to deal with. Hope this helps!
                                  Bobby
http://www.neverenoughauto.com

[Jay Friedman]

I suggest you contact Art Gardner at agardner@gardnergroff.com   He got one for me for my '49 a couple of years ago through some contact he had at, I think, ADDCO and/or PST.  He's gotten several from one of these firms for himself and others so I believe he knows all the details. 

BTW: As Joe mentioned it's equivalent to the front stabilizer bar used on '49 Series 75 limos and Series 86 hearses and significantly improves the side "lean" of the car as you go around a corner.  Takes about 15-20 minutes to install if there are 2 guys working and much longer if you are by yourself.  I love the way the car handles now and the change is not very apparent when you look under the car.   

[Bobby B]

I suggest you contact Art Gardner at agardner@gardnergroff.com   He got one for me for my '49 a couple of years ago through some contact he had at, I think, ADDCO and/or PST.  He's gotten several from one of these firms for himself and others so I believe he knows all the details. 

I think my above post covers "the details"…..
                                      Bobby

[Joe V]

Thanks Guys.  Looks like I better get on the ball and find one - if they still can be found. 

[Jay Friedman]

Bobby, I didn't mean to imply that your posting didn't cover the details, only that Art knows them too and is an additional source of info.

[Joe V]

I searched and as you mentioned Bobby, all vendors sell but with future ship dates.  On a whim, I searched Amazon for an ADDCO 2052 and one was available with free prime shipping.  It was sold and shipped by Amazon, listed as a 2052, and clearly designated for 48-52 Cadillacs, so they definitely have something in stock as marked.  We will now see what shows up in two days!

Thanks so much for the details and maybe I will get lucky.  If not, I will reach out to Neverenough, Art G., and any other source I can find.  Thanks Guys.

[Chas]

Going back to my old stock car racing days, we used to get front bars made up to our spexs when we wanted to try something different than what was available over the counter. Don't know if they're still in business, but you might want to try TLS Steel Products out in Portland Oregon.

[Bobby B]

On a whim, I searched Amazon for an ADDCO 2052 and one was available with free prime shipping.  It was sold and shipped by Amazon, listed as a 2052, and clearly designated for 48-52 Cadillacs, so they definitely have something in stock as marked.  We will now see what shows up in two days!

Joe,
Good deal. It's a quick install. Keep us posted……..
                                                     Bobby

[Caddy Wizard]

Lots of resellers, but only one manufacturer and that is ADDCO in North Carolina.  You can buy the product from various places, including PST, Kanter, etc.  About $175 to $225.  Makes a huge difference, without sacrificing ride quality.  Best bang-for-the-buck improvement you can make to an old Cadillac...

[Scott Anderson CLC#26068]

Bobby's right about the rescue - mine had actually snapped (!) and I'd ordered the #2052 through Jeggs who never did seem to have any idea what to do with the order. Long story short, I bought through the source Bobby suggests they got it shipped right out to me, and did a great job. Addco did tell me that the bars were out of stock (this is probably a year ago) and they had no plans to make any more so I'm glad you found a source.

Meanwhile HarryS sold me a stock replacement which I appreciated as well.

I get that yours is a later application than mine, so primarily for others reading this, I did find that it wasn't quite a direct fit on my 41 6267D, the center frame / radiator mount needed a bit of radiusing to clear the bar. (Bobby this is the reason for my spamming you at the time...'now how does this go in I can't get it to clear'...'geez it only goes one way don't make it harder than it is'...)    Also they ship with solid bushings which you can optionally use or order rubber replacements.

It does make a big difference in driving and in my opinion only a technician judging the car for points would notice, IE it really doesn't look out of place / stand out under there in general.

Joe,
Hi. I'll come to your rescue. Nobody makes this sway bay but Addco. There is a direct replacement crossed over to a '53 Buick, but good luck finding it.  I thought that Scott Anderson and I purchased the last 2 bars in existence, but give it a shot. It's Addco part #2052, and it's a killer 1" diameter sway bay to fit your application, including all the hardware. A really nice package by Addco. Here's the deal with purchasing it. Everybody will take your money because it's listed ( Summit, Jeg's, etc.), but it's out of stock. i found a place that was willing to go the extra mile and stay on top of it until they had a answer from Addco on finding one. They also had the best price we could find. Super people to deal with. Hope this helps!
                                  Bobby
http://www.neverenoughauto.com

[Jeff Wilk]

Does anybody know if anyone makes a beefier sway bar for the 1975 Eldorado?

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Joe,

Called PST on the phone about my 56 Cad, they had one in stock. Ordered and was delivered yesterday.

I ordered and installed the bars for my 49 and 53 (lots of problems on that one was not engineered correctly) and am happy with the results.

The Johnny

[Joe V]

Sorry Bobby and Scott, but it looks like I got the last Addco 2052 sway bar in existence.  It is twice the thickness of the original and I look forward to getting it installed.  Even visually it looks so much heavier.  You know your cooked over this stuff when the arrival of a bent black steel bar makes you happy.  If life was only that simple!

Thanks to all for the info and help, threads to follow, and plan B ideas.  This thread is just one example of the value of the Cadillac Club and it's knowledgeable members.   

[Bobby B]

Joe,
  Every time I come home to find a box at my door, it's like Christmas….I know the feeling!
                                                                                                                     Bobby

[Gene Beaird]

Looks like Joe got what he needs, but I'll add that Quickor Garage also lists front sway bars for that era of car:

http://www.quickorgarage.com/CartPages/cadillac.htm

That's where I got my front and rear swaybars for our Seville.  The rear one fit a little different than their original iteration (I know because I have the Car and Driver article where they modded the suspension on a Seville to make it handle better), but it really flattened the cornering for that car.  IIRC, when I called, he didn't have a front one in stock, but got one bent and shipped in a week.  The current owner is the original owner of the company.  He sold it a while back, then purchased the company back as a 'semi-retirement' hobby.  It was fun talking to the owner. 

Anyway, enough babbling, I just wanted to put out there that there was another source.