Sway bar installation tips please

[JohnMc]

Happy New Year!
I have a '70 Spider that I bought last year with what appears original suspension rubber components which were crumbling. Replaced all A-arms, tie rods, center link, and installed new springs.
The engine and transmission are also out and rebuilding those. Will torque all above when the engine etc back in and with proper weight per original Fiat book instruction book (equivalent of 2 persons on front seats plus 44 lbs in trunk).
Removed the sway bar and drilled out the center brackets to remove them and rubber but putting back has been nightmare. Did just order 4 new brackets to hopefully assist.
Can you please give me tips/suggestions for this process. I realize this is not something that is done much but some specifics could really help me.
Thank you very much.

[JohnMc]

I needed to add that the car is suspended with no wheels, engine or tranny.

[DieselSpider]

I needed to add that the car is suspended with no wheels, engine or tranny.

They are usually easier to put on when the wheels are on the ground. You will often have to deal with severe angles with everything hanging.

[burgandy81]

Agreed. With the car suspended you will need to jack up the suspension to get everything lined up.

On my 81 the main chasis brackets have a bias ( might be the same on early cars?). You need to put them on the correct way so that the sway bar is forward of centre (if I remember that correctly).

If you get the brackets on the wrong way ( it looked fine to me!!!) the sway bay is too far back and will interfere with the lower A arms.

[JohnMc]

Thanks, will do.

Do you all find it better to do the center first, do both ends first or start on the end and go to the other end?

[njoconnor]

For me, it was center brackets, loose (just threaded), then ends. Since my car was still up on stands, I used the floor jack (Thanks, Allen!!) to raise/lower the lower control arm until everything lined up (I also used a C Clamp to draw bar to mounting points). Mine took a while, and some uncivil language muttered to myself. Patience, persistence, and knowing SOMEONE had gotten this done were what it took....

Neil

[Nanonevol]

If it's difficult, maybe that's why mine looks like this:

Cold in the garage but first on my list in spring.