Front sway bar mounts Options

[TRS63]

Hello together,

I bought what was supposed top be a complete front sway bar for my 914. As the tank is out, that would be a great time to mount it!
But what I have is pretty strange, with welded screws instead of welded nuts:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1643118779.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1643118780.2.jpg)

Is it then supposed to be welded like that, or from the inside, or it just doesn't work on the 914?
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1643118780.3.jpg)

Thanks!

Antoine

[TRS63]

That is perfect, thanks a lot!!
Basically, if I cut the holes for the studs' heads, and weld this plate on the outer wheelhouse, it will be similar to original and no frame cutting..I like this idea. Anything that would be against that?

Antoine

[Superhawk996]

That is perfect, thanks a lot!!
Basically, if I cut the holes for the studs' heads, and weld this plate on the outer wheelhouse, it will be similar to original and no frame cutting..I like this idea. Anything that would be against that?

Antoine

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) Hmm.

Though I think it is the same structurally, but, I don't think I'd do that.

Exposed threads of the studs are more likely to corrode in the wheelhouse. In the OEM application, the hex bolt head is the only thing exposed to the elements. The weld nuts and the bolt threads protrude into the truck which is far drier than a wheelhouse and not exposed to salt, road debris, etc.

In the instance where a stud were to corrode, be stripped or break off the plate, I suspect it would be easier to simply drill and tap or heli-coil the OEM weld nut rather than deal with replacement of an external stud.

Personally, I think the finished product with only hex head bolt heads showing is more visually "finished" than 3 studs sticking out with nuts. I'm just sort of wierd like that though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

I'm stretching a bit with the what if scenarios. To me the OEM solution is a little bit more elegant but I don't see a functional difference as long as your weld plate with the studs is welded to the wheelhouse well. Simply comes down to time spent to convert your plate to weld nuts.