Suspension FAQ (Read This First)

[gamiller]

We should add sway bar diameters to this FAQ.

[bensenvill]

ok
Rears:
stock 17
svt 18
roush 19
bat 21
"aussie" 24 hollow

Fronts:
stock ?
svt ?-1mm

[LinkMan]

Originally Posted by CEG Suspension FAQ

What are the differences in stock sway bars between (Contour/Mystique) models?
Front:
Year/ Model/ Engine/ Size
All/ SVT/ V6/ 19MM
All/ Non-SVT/ ALL/ 20MM
Rear:
Year/ Model/ Engine/ Size
1995-1998/ GL&LX/ ALL/ 17MM
1995-1998/ SE/ All/ 19MM
1998.5+/ LX/ I4/ 16MM
1998.5+/ LX/ V6/ 17MM
1998.5+/ SE/ All/ 18MM
All/ SVT/ V6/ 18MM
*These are not absolute and it's likely that there are a few odd cars out there. The smaller bars on the SVT were to improve traction and reduce under steer.

Assuming Bensenvill is correct above, then Cougar front sway bar is 20mm.

[ducttapepro03]

My 01 Zetec has a 20mm front bar.

[B3NN3TT]

Originally Posted by crazyoldcougar

our cars (I4 guys) weigh less, i would think that will effect performance and stance?

Weight difference between the Zetec and Duratec are negligible at best. The Duratec is all aluminum, while the Zetec has a cast-iron block.

[gamiller]

BAT camber kit installation instructions attached.

[gamiller]

The Roush rear sway bar appears to be 21mm b/c the BAT 21mm bushings barely fit around it.

According to BAT, the diameters are as follows:

FRONTS
Contour = 20mm
Cougar = 20mm
SVT Contour = 19mm

REARS
Contour = 16mm
Contour SE = 18mm
Cougar = 18mm
SVT = 19mm
BAT/Roush = 21mm
Aussie = 24mm (hollow)

Originally Posted by bensenvill

ok
Rears:
stock 17
svt 18
roush 19
bat 21
"aussie" 24 hollow

Fronts:
stock ?
svt ?-1mm

[contrapaul]

How do we know what size our front sway bar is? (aside from actually measuring the thing- any year-to-year differences?)

[bensenvill]

Originally Posted by contrapaul

How do we know what size our front sway bar is? (aside from actually measuring the thing- any year-to-year differences?)

nope identical for ALL year contours/cougars/mystiques

with the exception of the SVT tours which were 1mm smaller.

just my 2 cents but the more you stiffen the springs, the less important the bulk of your sway bars will play on the handling [other than front to rear bias]. case in point, I have monsterously stiff springs, with every its bigger/better suspension upgrade. apparently at some point I snapped a sway bar endlinkt... I can confidently say the sway bar has zero effect on handling on my car [I've done this on stock too, ummm ya, it very much effects your handling]

[gamiller]

According to Advance Auto Parts (i.e. Parts America):

Cougar front sway bar diameter = 20mm
Cougar rear sway bar diameter = 18mm

So the specs for the Cougar match those for the Contour SE but not the Contour SVT.

Energy Suspension Bushings:
Front: 45175G
Rear: 45175G