Plan on changing the old original stabilizer links sometime soon after noticing that the old link and bushings looked pretty rusty and worn... so I went and purchased a new front sway part kit - bushings, retainers, sleeves, nuts, and bolts.

Only problem is, if my memory serves me well, the original bolts look to be longer than the new 6 inch replacement - which I'm not so sure will actually be able to slip through the control arm and stabilizer shaft for proper securing and tightening!

If I have to, I'll carefully unloosen and remove the old bolts (attack it with penetrating fluid), clean it up as best I can so it can be used again and just replace the old retainer washers, slleves, and bushings! Anyone know the actual length of the original stabilizer link bolt before I begin this job?

It is going to be nearly impossible to save the old ones. I sheared one in half and had to saw the other one off. I would get the right size bolts. Dealer has the whole link for around $10 apiece.

The Pontiac deal I ordered and bought them at did say these were the right sized bolts, interestingly enough, for the '92. Maybe it'* my imagination but they sure looked a little shorter than the originals that are still on the car now. I think thse links are supposed to be torqued to around 12 or 13 ft lbs (which doesn't sound like much torque at all) so maybe that'* why the orignal bolts look longer right now.

I'll check them against the originals tomorrow when I take the tires off and do the front brakes. I even checked NAPA and PepBoys and they all look to be the same size bolts in length when I sized them up against the set I got from the Pontiac dealer. Can't these same type measured bolts be purchased - in varying lengths - at a good hardware store as well? They look like the same exact type grade of steel?

I recall changing the one'* on my Olds 98 Regency years ago and I also had to cut them in two with a hack saw! These look a lot better and might actually unscrew but I don't think I'm going to bust my *** if they don't.

No, the new 6" bolts will be fine. Just install the whole kit as you received it. See my recent post here...

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...pic.php?t=5791

...in which I did the very same thing.

As I said in a separate post, I just installed the entire Moog Performance blue urethane kit as it came, including the center bolt, at about $12/kit (one each side). They have a $7 rubber-bushing version as well, but for the SSEi I figured the urethane kit was what should be used, and the old bushings that came off the car were clearly urethane and not rubber.

Anyhow, for the record, the OEM bolts are metric, 9.8 strength, which I think is at least a Grade 5 in standard measurement, although I would suggest Grade 8 to be sure. (According to the manual, most fasteners on the car are either 8.8 or 9.8, with 9.8 being the tougher one.)

(I _think_ a Grade 5 bolt has 3 lines stamped on the head; a Grade 8 has 5.)