Problem with Hotchkis front bar

[Northern Goat]

I have a 1971 Firebird and purchased the Hotchkis TVS system. I am trying to bolt up the front sway bar bushing brackets and the spacing of the holes in the bracket seems too wide for the holes in the frame. When I try to use studs the cap goes on; however the studs are so close to the curve in the bracket that I can't get a nut on.

Anyone else have similar problems???

[zbugger]

The kit comes with Allen head screws. At least it should. There's no way to get a normal head bolt on there. I just put one of these, well, the DSE bar, on my '77 Camaro.

[Northern Goat]

Thanks. I will go out and look for the bolts.

[David Pozzi]

Header bolts work too!

[PT Goat]

Had the same issue on my GTO, and had to re-tap the mounts for the supplied allen head screws. Just start the bolts and tighten them slowly, going back and forth a few turns at a time. Everything should snug up just fine.

[Turbo67camaro]

I just had the same issue with a different brand sway bar, but luckily I had another set of bushing brackets that fit properly.

[Northern Goat]

The good news is that I bought some allen head bolts and they work in 3 of the holes. The bad news is I screwed up the 4th. I think I will have to use a helicoil or nutsert to fix the offending hole.

[David Pozzi]

Nutsert is the way to go. There isn't enough metal thickness for a Helicoil.

[PT Goat]

I had the same problem with one of the holes, but was able to get a nut on the bolt through the front of the frame.