Can aftermarket rear sway bar brackets be made to fit?

[Ward83]

I'm redoing my suspension soon, and I just noticed that the rear sway bar brackets are not flat, but mount on a 90 degree angle. I know I can get adapters that allow the use of flat brackets, but they don't allow for a greasable bracket. The way the adapters mount the brackets leaves not enough clearance between the track bar to clear the grease zerk. Has anyone been able to simply bend the tabs on aftermarket brackets in order to fit the stock bolt holes?

 

[Luken10]

I just did an install on my car this way. Seems to work fine, and held up through a track day. Due to the size if the bushing compared to the bracket I had to use some washers as spacers in order to prevent constricting the sway bar too much.

 

[Ward83]

Thanks, it looks like I'll be giving that a shot this weekend when I start on my suspension. I already bought prothane greasable bushings and brackets, and I'd really like to keep the grease fitting if possible.

 

[Luken10]

I went with the energy suspension brackets, but they don't have a greasable 20mm version. I didn't realize prothane does. Wish I would have gone that route since I am already squeaking about a month in.

I thought I read somewhere that the zerk fittings don't fit on the rear bar. Hopefully that is not the case. On a positive note, the brackets are made to be bent so it's fairly easy to get them into shape.

 

[Ward83]

I went with the energy suspension brackets, but they don't have a greasable 20mm version. I didn't realize prothane does. Wish I would have gone that route since I am already squeaking about a month in.

I thought I read somewhere that the zerk fittings don't fit on the rear bar. Hopefully that is not the case. On a positive note, the brackets are made to be bent so it's fairly easy to get them into shape.

I'm running stock sway bars for now, so I actually bought the 16mm rear bushings. I'm pretty sure I saw them in 20mm as well though, I think they make them in pretty much any size needed. They were quite cheap too, about 15 bucks a pair for front and rear. Squeaking is exactly why I want to have the grease fittings - poly bushings can squeak after a while, you have to grease them regularly unlike rubber bushings.

 

[CR3 Motorsports]

I believe you are looking for these.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...-Rear-Sway-Bar-Relocation-Brackets&highlight=

 

[Luken10]

Energy Suspension for sure doesn't have the grease fittings on their 20mm brackets. I did quite a bit of calling around trying to figure that out. Not sure about Prothane.

If you have the money, buy the CR3 brackets above. It will make the installation much easier!

 

[Ward83]

Unfortunately I can't use the CR3 brackets, since I plan on using brackets with grease fittings. With those brackets, the grease fittings don't clear the lateral links.