Talk about early senility--yesterday, I went about replacing the bushings on the front sway bar of the '85, P32, Barth Regal. Removed the old brackets and bushings, dropped the sway bar, cleaned up the bushing area for the new bushings, and went to put it back on and realized there's a right side up or a wrong side up. Should have taken a picture first since pictures have good memories. So, the question is, "Does the middle part of the sway bar dip down, or does it bend up?" It seems to be able to be fitted either way.
Next time I'll take pictures or a least get somebody with a memory to help me.
Jim (Not Tere)

Went out to have a look, and on mine the middle dips down, but it has to for clearance of the radiator hose on the passenger side of the dip.

Izzat a stock or aftermarket bar?

Stock, Bill. (I think--after this goof, I'm not sure of my name)
Jim (not Tere)

Thanks, Danny. I don't have a heater hose obstruction but if I get one more "down" response, that will be it. Of course, I 'hold all harmless' when I turn the thing over in a four wheel drift coming down the mountains of the Blue Ridge.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim and Tere:
Stock,
Jim (not Tere)

You might consider an IPD bar. I have used them on all three of my P30s. An IPD bar was on the first list of safety items we bought before we went any farther than the dog park.

At the minimum, put in a set of stiffer bushings. It is a big improvement for only a little money.

FWIW, my IPD bar is straight across.

What is an IPD bar? Is IPD a manufacturer?

quote:

Originally posted by Kris & Tina Jones:
What is an IPD bar? Is IPD a manufacturer?

IPD is a company that makes performance improvements, mainly for Volvos. The bar mentioned is their replacement for the P30 OEM anti-sway bar.

I think the IPD RV line was bought out by somebody else. Maybe Roadmaster.

You might also try Hellwig which sells for about $300. It includes the bushings for the rear sway bar also.

Yeah, Hellwig is a good company. I use their stuff at the rear. They are good people to deal with if you have a problem or special app. Truckcomponents is a good place for their stuff.

The only reason I used IPD was that I got in the habit before Hellwig started making them.

Hellwig mght be the way to go, considering how Roadmaster has jacked the price. CW wants over six hundred now.

Hi Jim: we have a '77 21 ft P32.
Ireplaced our bushings a year or so ago and it helped.
Our bar had the low section DOWN!

PS when I did it I was sufficiently concerned about the same thing that I didn't remove the bar from under the coach---- so you are not alone.

Regards Bud

Photo Bucket liked me today so here's a pic.

DOWN IT IS!!! Thanks to all. Next time I'll take pictures or have someone with a memory do it.
Jim

It appears that the bar was bent down to clear the water hose back when the radiators had top and bottom tanks. When they switched to horizontal radiators, there was no longer a pressing need for a bent bar, but they stayed with it, anyway.

Question for Bill H. In the picture of your ipd Bar, just to the side of the bushing appears to be a pull cable of some sort. What is it, Air Dump?

Nick