1989 Std Camry Sway Bar Options

[sdhartney]

Hi Guys,
My daily commute is about 60 miles each way, 40 of which are in the twisties (mountain/canyons) and I'm getting pretty tired of this 'ol Camry flopping all over the road, tires screeching, etc.

I did some searches here and it seems I'll need at least a rear swaybar. I dont know squat about these things other than we need one. The guy I communicated with (Zach) also indicated that swaybar bushings may be the best place to start in correcting my problem

He also provided a list of bushings, do I need to purchase ALL of the bushings listed?

Any comments greatly appreciated.

Here's the letter I got back from Zach:

Thanks you for your interest in Whiteline Sway Bars! Whiteline offers a front and rear bar for your car (1989 Std Camry), but the front bar is very thick (27mm) and intended for off road use ONLY.

However, the rear bar would be perfect for you, and we have some in stock. The cost is $137.46, plus about $25 for shipping (to So.California).

We also carry Super Pro polyurethane bushings, which would go a long towards stiffening up your suspension in general. If your car still retains the original rubber bushings, they are long overdue for replacement.
Here are the bushing kits we carry for your car:

• SPF0511K -- FRONT - LOWER CONTROL ARM - INNER BUSHING -- $38.08
• SPF0321K -- FRONT - SWAY BAR TO LOWER CONTROL ARM -- $38.36
• SPF1221K -- REAR - CONTROL ARM - INNER BUSHING -- $29.93
• SPF1220K -- REAR - CONTROL ARM - OUTER BUSHING -- $28.14
• SPF0823K -- REAR - TRAILING ARM BUSHING -- $59.64

We have all of them in stock.

To place an order, you may contact our offices directly or visit us on the web. If you have any other quesitons or comments, please let me know. Thank you.

Best Regards,
Zach Thomas
Global Performance Parts
Cell: 616-405-5319
Office: 616-399-9025
Fax: 616-399-9174

Check out our web site at:
www.globalperformanceparts.com

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by sdhartney

He also provided a list of bushings, do I need to purchase ALL of the bushings listed?

• SPF0511K -- FRONT - LOWER CONTROL ARM - INNER BUSHING -- $38.08
• SPF0321K -- FRONT - SWAY BAR TO LOWER CONTROL ARM -- $38.36
• SPF1221K -- REAR - CONTROL ARM - INNER BUSHING -- $29.93
• SPF1220K -- REAR - CONTROL ARM - OUTER BUSHING -- $28.14
• SPF0823K -- REAR - TRAILING ARM BUSHING -- $59.64

You don't need to purchase all the bushings, but if you want ultimate stiffness and response I'd replace all of them.

The prices listed are for a pair (2 bushings) or each?

[sdhartney]

Originally Posted by 88 LE

You don't need to purchase all the bushings, but if you want ultimate stiffness and response I'd replace all of them.

The prices listed are for a pair (2 bushings) or each?

Good question -- I was confused when Zach mentioned "kits". I thought maybe one kit would cover the whole car ,but now that you mention "pair" I'll bet that's what a kit really is, a pair.

Stiffness ?

Are we talking about the ability to absorb road hazard shock? I don't want to start feeling all the road imperfections as a sacrafice to keeping this little turd Camry from swaying all over hell and gone.

My other car is:

[fredk]

stiffer springs will go a good ways to keep the car from bobbing and having big reactions

[blkdmnrcing]

is this comming directly from Whiteline themselves or is this a different dealer? i have been looking for bushing kits for my Gen 2 I4, just wanted to know where i can get them from.

Definetly replace the rear sway bar, and the bushing.

Thanks,
Joe Portera

[sdhartney]

Originally Posted by blkdmnrcing

is this comming directly from Whiteline themselves or is this a different dealer?

Not Whiteline, this was a local dealer that carries Whiteline
http://www.globalperformanceparts.com

[white90dx]

First, check if your camry even HAS a rear swaybar... The base model versions didn't.

If your car didn't have a swaybar to start with, head to the junkyards and get one (with mounts, endlinks and all the hardware). It should bolt right on to your car.

If you have a stock rear swaybar (or are unhappy after you add one), upgrade to the whiteline rear bar. With this, your car will oversteer a fair amount at the limit (be careful when you lift the throttle!).

If your front suspension is loose, get the two 'sets' of bushings for the front suspension. They will significanly increase the steering performance of the car. Your rear suspension bushings should still be ok (mine were after >300k miles in the desert before I upgraded them...).

Make sure you also have reasonably good tires... also think about upgrading to 16" rims with good tires...

No need for new springs, but new struts might also help if your current ones are on their way out. Go for the KYB GR-2s... they will perform better than stock but won't rattle your fillings out.

Hope that helps.

-Charlie

(Just for your reference, I have lowering springs, stiffer struts, front and rear Whiteline swaybars, and all the poly bushings with 16" wheels and NICE tires... my car handles great but is stiff and uncomfortable on bumpy roads... but great in the mountains and at high speads, even over 100mph...)

[blkdmnrcing]

thank you for the website, stuff will be ordered this weekend.

Thank you,

Joe Portera

[atobe]

if you go through the mountains everyday you might as well upgrade the suspensions make it a funner drive ...take it to a tireshop or alignment place and they'll check which bushings are bad for you...i would get the rear bar if you don't already have one...cause i didn't have one and i got one even though it's a stock one from another camry it made quite a difference..

[sdhartney]

Hey Charlie --
Base models dont come rear swaybars 'eh I always knew this car was a turd but it gets way better mileage than the Lincoln.
Thanks for the great information, I didn't even consider the car dosn't currently have a rear swaybar ,sounds like a good place to start. You have quite a bit of work into your suspension -- I really dont need all that (I hope) and I dont want to "feel the road" to much more than the Camry already offers.

I'm in Lancaster/Palmdale/Quartz Hill area -- the junk yards over here are pretty posessive with their parts. I once needed an ignition module, couldnt touch one over here for less than $100. Got 20 off eBay for $15 (anybody need one ) I'll try to find a San Fernendo Valley resource for junkyard parts.

Thanks everyone for the great advice and experience --
You guys rule !!

[88 LE]

Try TAP Recycling (www.taprecycling.com). Their in Rancho Cordova, CA.

Or look for a local U-Pull-It or Pick-N-Pull.

[JetspeedCamry]

I replaced all of my bushes with polyurethane ones, replaced my RSB with an 18mm Whiteline one w/poly bushes, added a front strut brace and have lowered Pedderes firm rate springs, oh and also 17" low profile tires. Handles awesome now! No body roll etc and a very nice ride, if your not into lounge rooms that is...lol

[atobe]

sway bars at a junkyard isn't too expensive i think i paid like 20$ for mine with all the end links and hardware needed to mount it

[sdhartney]

OK, I've just had a brainfart...
Let's say I'm wondering around the U-Pick yard looking for the right doner car...

What years/models would be compatible with my 1989 base model -- Obviously 1989

Would I be looking for any particular identifier like LE or ??

[88 LE]

87 - 91. Just look for the same body style.

LE model has a rear swaybar.