Ridetech Muscle bar won’t line up on 66 GTO

[Nichols87]

Just mounted the muscle bar and it’s off when bolted in on one side. The stock holes on the frame were used to line up the brackets and it doesn’t fit. Is the frame damaged?168596
168597

[dhutton]

Speaking from experience Ridetech thinks all A body frames are the same and crosses their parts across Chevy, Buick, Pontiac and Oldsmobile. I’m going to guess that bar fits a 66 Chevelle....

Don

[anguilla1980]

Speaking from experience Ridetech thinks all A body frames are the same and crosses their parts across Chevy, Buick, Pontiac and Oldsmobile. I’m going to guess that bar fits a 66 Chevelle....

Don

That's ****ty. I really wish more vendors would get with it and be more Pontiac specific on stuff. This has burned me on a few things during my project.

[grnsierra01]

My 67 Tempest was the same way, but I don't think it was quite as far off as yours. We were able to make it work, but the clamp is not perfectly centered between the ridges. I've got about 1,500 miles on it so far and no I'll effects.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Speaking from experience Ridetech thinks all A body frames are the same and crosses their parts across Chevy, Buick, Pontiac and Oldsmobile. I’m going to guess that bar fits a 66 Chevelle....

Don
and that is correct, the 64-67 A body frames should use the same front sway bar from us (doesn't matter if it's a GTO or a Chevelle), 68-72 uses a different width. The only thing that we can't fix here are those nice 60's manufacturing tolerances or a tweaked frame.

That's ****ty. I really wish more vendors would get with it and be more Pontiac specific on stuff. This has burned me on a few things during my project.
It's not a difference of Pontiac pieces here. When you get a chance, measure from end to end on the sway bar for me. I'd like to know the total length to make sure that you do have the correct bar for that year range. Over the years, the A body platform has shown many differences in the frame frame dimensions (width wise), making some of these cars a little harder to work with. Whether it's the wrong bar or an issue with the car needing something a little different, I can help you out either way. I'll just need you to give me some dimensions when you get some free time :D.

[dhutton]

and that is correct, the 64-67 A body frames should use the same front sway bar from us (doesn't matter if it's a GTO or a Chevelle), 68-72 uses a different width. The only thing that we can't fix here are those nice 60's manufacturing tolerances or a tweaked frame.

It's not a difference of Pontiac pieces here. When you get a chance, measure from end to end on the sway bar for me. I'd like to know the total length to make sure that you do have the correct bar for that year range. Over the years, the A body platform has shown many differences in the frame frame dimensions (width wise), making some of these cars a little harder to work with. Whether it's the wrong bar or an issue with the car needing something a little different, I can help you out either way. I'll just need you to give me some dimensions when you get some free time :D.

Have you actually tested the sway bar on all the A bodies you claim it fits or just on your Chevelle? And please don’t claim that misalignment in the pic is due to tolerances....

Don

[pitts64]

GM A body..
1) Switch the upper front control arms from side to side and install new rubber control arm bushings. Set caster to 10 positive, half a degree more on the passenger side, camber to .25 negative, 1/32 toe in...
2) Install 1/2 tall ball joints on the lower control arms along with new rubber control arm bushings..
3) Switch steering box with a Lee 14:1 with 30 lb valve. Use Grant 13" steering wheel..
4) Install Hellwig 55703 sway bar.
5) Install Porterfield pads and shoes on stock disc/drum brake system.. Keep the better looking correct scale 15" wheels with 225/70r15 tires..
6) Go for a nice ride and spend all that money on your family....

[dhutton]

GM A body..
1) Switch the upper front control arms from side to side and install new rubber control arm bushings. Set caster to 10 positive, half a degree more on the passenger side, camber to .25 negative, 1/32 toe in...
2) Install 1/2 tall ball joints on the lower control arms along with new rubber control arm bushings..
3) Switch steering box with a Lee 14:1 with 30 lb valve. Use Grant 13" steering wheel..
4) Install Hellwig 55703 sway bar.
5) Install Porterfield pads and shoes on stock disc/drum brake system.. Keep the better looking correct scale 15" wheels with 225/70r15 tires..
6) Go for a nice ride and spend all that money on your family....

10 degrees caster? How much jacking do you get with that much caster?

Don

[Josh@Ridetech]

Have you actually tested the sway bar on all the A bodies you claim it fits or just on your Chevelle? And please don’t claim that misalignment in the pic is due to tolerances....

Don

The kit has been fit on many different A bodies (Chevelle's, El Camino's, GTO's, Bret's Buick GS, etc.). We've built two different lengths for 10+ years, one for the early A body and one for the late A body, all jig welded on their own fixture. The cross width on those front frame horns have been all over the place. It is without a doubt due to tolerances.

Josh

[dhutton]

I guess factory tolerances also explains the sky high ride on my 71 Cutlass that was fixed with UMI springs after Ridetech flat out denying that their springs were two inches too long. You guys have a history of blaming stuff on tolerances which doesn’t pass the smell test. Post some real data if you have it. I fail to see how that poor fit can be attributed to tolerance stack ups on the factory frame. Have you done any kind of tolerance stack up analysis to justify it? If tolerances really are that bad why didn’t Ridetech engineer a solution that works within those tolerances instead of shipping stuff that doesn’t fit?

Sorry but just tired of the Ridetech excuses. Gets old after a while...

Don

[Josh@Ridetech]

Nichols87, if you haven't already talked to someone here, feel free to call me direct and I'll help get everything squared away on your car.