S1 Front Sway Bar

[My S1]

There is virtually zero clearance between my front sway bar and the belly pan.  Is this the normal situation?  Does it open up once it is on the ground?

[jbcollier]

Hmm, here a photo of mine while the car is on the ground:

[jbcollier]

Has your chassis been changed?

[My S1]

Original chassis.  I can not see from your photo but it appears as though your sway bar is flush up against the belly as well, no?

[jbcollier]

Nope, lots of clearance.  here's a couple more photos:

[jbcollier]

What have you done to it?  Was it fine before?

[Hachille]

Good morning,
Difficult to see well in the photos. I took some photos yesterday.
I realize that I have touched speed bumps.
We probably have the tallest in the world in France.

[My S1]

Thank you Hachille & John.  I might have a serious mismaladjustment here.  When I get my wheels back from the restorer and get the car back down on the ground I'll see where it ends up in driving position.  If there is still no clearance I'll either cut the drop links and lengthen them or do what Pfreen did and add some heim joints.  Thanks for the pix.

[TurboFource]

Did someone shorten the links to keep from dragging on the ground?

[EuropaTC]

It does look close but I'm not sure how much difference it makes as long as it's not rubbing on anything else. When you get the car sitting on it's wheels, as long as the ends of the bar meet the damper mounting pin squarely and without distorting the rubber bushes there (no preloading) then I think I'd just leave it alone.

I made my links adjustable to go with lowering the suspension, maybe someone did the same on the car ?

Brian

[My S1]

With further research it seems as though the lengths of the drop links were lengthen by the factory over the years.  Mine measure 11-1/2" overall with a part number 0f 46-C-005 but Ray at R.D. has a set measuring 12" overall with a part number of 54-C-005.

I can see how the length of the drop link will in fact effect the ride height up front.

[jbcollier]

Drop link length only affects the position of the sway bar.  It does not affect ride height.