Installing a sway bar

[GT73]

Recently purchased a pair of rear lower control arms for my '73 Cutlass Supreme from Global West Suspension in California.

When I received their rear lower control arms they appeared to be far superior to the stock arms. However, when I attempted to mount the rear sway bar I noticed the holes in the arms were for a side mount sway bar.

Did '73's come stock with side mount sway bars or bottom mount bars?

I require rear lower control arms with holes at the bottom for mounting my sway bar. Global West says all '73-77 A-bodies came with side mount bars and therefore my rear sway bar (Olds stock? rear sway bar purchased years ago) is incorrect.

Who is right?

[sledhead2]

68-72 were side mount and 73-95+ were bottom mount. when i installed my rear i was able to buy the arm box at dealer. It was still in use on cop cars taxis, all full size cars. My sway bar came off of a 73 monti carlo

[zodiacblue442]

`73-`77 Cutlass (and other GM A-bodies) with rear sway bars have lower control arms that are drilled on the sides. A "U" channel section with threaded holes bolts into the lower control arms making a boxed arm in that section. The channel is held in with 4 bolts per side. The "U" channel has 2 more threaded holes in the bottom of it and the sway bar itself bolts to the "U" channel. Make sure you use Grade 8 bolts and flat washers. Hope this helps.

I may be mistaken, but I'm thinking every `73-`77 Monte Carlo came with a rear sway bar that would be the same one used in a Cutlass.

[aretubj]

GT73
Take a look at Zola latest post.
That's the way it should be.

[texxas8902]

[QUOTE=zodiacblue442;4298
I may be mistaken, but I'm thinking every `73-`77 Monte Carlo came with a rear sway bar that would be the same one used in a Cutlass.[/QUOTE]

Yep, Monte Carlo, El Camino, Chevelle Malibu, SS, Buick Century, Regal, GS, Pontiac Grand Prix, Le Mans, GTO, GT, Can Am and more. ANY of these from 73-77 that have a rear sway bar, it will fit the Cutlass.
Not all of these cars came with a rear bar though. Alot of MC's were cheapy models and didn't have one. More often than not the bulk of Cutlass' that I run across in the yards don't have a rear sway bar either.
When you get one just be sure and get the U pieces that fit in the control arms. If the hardware isn't rusty, I'd get that too. That is one of the bonus features of cars around here. The undercarriage isn't rusty and can actually be disassembled with hand tools in the wrecking yard.

[ragz442]

FWIW, like Dave said, the u-channels, mounts, whatever you call em are still available from the dealer. They're the exact same part as the newer B-bodys.

[sledhead2]

If anybody needs a rear sway bar, I have one $20 plus ride.

If you are in no hurry $40 + ride and I will go to dealer and pick up the control arm boxs. Boxs sell for $20.

Bar is sand blasted, primered and ready for paint.

I can post photo if some is intrested.

[1968olds98]

might be worth a look, various gm's have differant size/mount rear sways

http://www.73-77olds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=629