Buy Pontiac Firebird Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link Kits

The stabilizer bar link joins the sway bar to the Pontiac Firebird's control arm, keeping the car flatter in corners and safer in emergency maneuvers. Firebirds from 1967-2002 share the GM F-body platform, but bar diameters, bushing materials, and torque specs vary by generation and option packages such as WS6. Replacing worn links restores handling, ends clunks, and protects tires. Polyurethane kits add durability; heim-joint or "spherical" links tighten response for track use. Below you'll find how it all works, model-year details, DIY steps, and dozens of common-language Q & A's with helpful outbound resources for deeper learning.

A sway-bar link (a "stabilizer link" or "anti-roll link") transfers road forces from one wheel to the sway bar so the bar can resist body roll. Anti-roll bar basics explain how the torsion spring twists to keep the chassis level.
Because the link is short, inexpensive, and exposed, it often fails first-making it a smart maintenance item that delivers an outsized handling benefit. HowStuffWorks' stabilizer bar explainer offers a kid-friendly visual.

• First Gen (1967-69) - Uses slim front links with rubber bushings; direct-fit kits are easy to source. (eBay)
• Second Gen (1970-81) - Diameter of factory sway bars grows; check bar size before ordering to ensure correct sleeve length.
• Third Gen (1982-92) - WS6 cars feature 32 mm front / 21 mm rear bars; base models typically 30 mm / 19 mm. (Wikipedia, LS1Tech)
• Fourth Gen (1993-2002) - Similar 30-32 mm front / 19 mm rear layout; later WS6 packages keep the larger front bar. (firebirdnation.com)

All four generations share the F-body architecture, so link-kit swap steps stay alike but bushing thickness and bolt length differ. (Wikipedia)

When you turn, the outside suspension compresses. The sway bar twists and, through its links, pushes on the inside wheel-reducing lean and keeping tires flat on the road. The link's bushings isolate noise yet must hold the bar solidly; once the bushing wallers out, you get clunks and sloppy steering. MOOG's symptom guide lists the telltale knocks and looseness.

• Rubber-bushed links ride softly and soak up vibration but wear faster.
• Polyurethane kits last longer and sharpen steering because the stiffer material compresses less (Gallagher comparison).
• Spherical (heim-joint) links remove all flex for track-day precision; F-body owners often upgrade with Teflon-lined designs for bind-free motion. (Hawks Motorsports)

• Metallic clunk over bumps or when turning. (moogparts.com)
• Loose, wandering steering, especially in crosswinds. (RepairPal.com)
• Uneven tire wear from extra body roll.
• Visible play when you tug the link with both wheels on the ground-a key diagnostic tip from mechanic forums.

Fresh links restore factory roll stiffness. On performance models (e.g., WS6), the larger 32 mm/21 mm bar combo cuts body roll almost 20 % compared with base bars, according to owner-measured differences posted on FirebirdNation. (firebirdnation.com)

1. Lift safely: Support both sides so the bar is unloaded.
2. Remove old link: Hold the stud with an Allen/torx if it spins. (Instructables)
3. Stack new hardware: Washer-bushing-sleeve-bushing-washer.
4. Torque until bushings "mushroom" slightly:
   • 20 ft-lb-common spec for late-model F-bodies. (LS1Tech)
   • 35-40 ft-lb-earlier third-gen guidelines. (thirdgen.org)
     Always check your year-specific service manual.

• Thicker bars: An '82-92 WS6 bar bolts onto any third-gen for a cheap roll-stiffness gain. (LS1Tech)
• Poly bushings: Reduce bushing deflection ≈ 25 % versus rubber, improving turn-in. (manuf-rubber.com)
• Adjustable end links: Let you pre-load the bar for track alignment tweaks.

• Re-torque links every oil change; bushings settle after the first few drives.
• Inspect after winter-road salt accelerates stud corrosion.
• Spray silicone on polyurethane to hush squeaks without harming material.

• Anti-Roll Bar theory (Wikipedia) - fundamentals of sway-bar operation.
• Pontiac Firebird history - generation overview for fitment.
• HowStuffWorks suspension guide - easy breakdown of car-suspension parts.
• LS1Tech F-body torque and bar sizes thread - real-world specs from owners.
• FirebirdNation sway-bar sizes discussion - community-verified diameters across trims.

Use these links to dive deeper and keep your classic Firebird cornering like new!