Narrowed Swaybar, for Ball Joint Front, 3/4

OVERVIEW

When you decide to narrow the front beam on your air-cooled Volkswagen to achieve that perfect "tucked" look or to clear wider tires, you quickly realize that your factory suspension components no longer line up. This EMPI Narrowed Swaybar is the definitive solution for 1966 and newer Ball Joint front ends that have been narrowed. By reducing the width of the bar to match your custom beam, this component restores the critical connection between your left and right trailing arms, ensuring that your Beetle or Karmann Ghia maintains its lateral stability. Without a properly sized sway bar, a narrowed car can feel "floaty" or unpredictable during cornering. This 3/4-inch heavy-duty bar provides a significantly stiffer rate than the original stock unit, drastically reducing body roll and improving the overall steering response of your classic VW.

Engineering a performance suspension requires attention to detail, and this narrowed sway bar is manufactured from high-tensile spring steel to withstand the rigors of aggressive street driving. It comes as a complete kit including the necessary bushings and hardware to facilitate a straightforward installation. Whether you are running a 2-inch or 4-inch narrowed beam, this bar is designed to bridge the gap and provide the torsional rigidity required to keep your tires planted. At Appletree Automotive, we know that "close enough" isn''t good enough for your build, which is why we stock these EMPI bars specifically designed to resolve the geometry issues inherent in narrowed front-end conversions. Upgrading to a 3/4-inch diameter bar also offers a performance advantage over smaller 5/8-inch options, giving you a flatter cornering profile that is especially noticeable when navigating tight turns or high-speed cloverleafs.

FITMENT

• VW Type 1 Beetle (Standard): 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977
• VW Type 14 Karmann Ghia: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974
• Note: Fits Ball Joint front ends only. Does not fit King and Link Pin or Super Beetle models.
• Note: Designed specifically for use with Narrowed Front Beams.

SPECS

• Diameter: 3/4 Inch (19mm) Heavy Duty
• Material: High-Strength Heat-Treated Spring Steel
• Finish: Durable Black Powder Coat or Zinc Plated (varies by production batch)
• Hardware Included: U-Clamps, Bushings, and Mounting Clips
• Bushing Material: High-Density Polyurethane or Performance Rubber
• Weight: Approximately 8.16 lbs
• Manufacturer Part Number: 22-2854-0

PRO TIPS

1. Lubricate the Bushings Thoroughly

To prevent the annoying "squeak" often associated with performance sway bars, always apply a generous amount of silicone-based grease or specialized bushing lubricant to the inner diameter of the bushings where they contact the bar. Do not use petroleum-based grease, as it can degrade certain types of rubber or polyurethane over time. Proper lubrication ensures the bar rotates smoothly within the mount, allowing the suspension to cycle without binding or creating unwanted noise during daily driving.

2. Final Tightening at Ride Height

One of the most common mistakes when installing a sway bar is tightening all the hardware while the vehicle is still up on jack stands. For the best results and to prevent pre-loading the suspension, you should get all the hardware "snug" while the car is in the air, then lower the vehicle onto its own weight. Once the car is sitting at its natural ride height, perform the final torque on the mounting clips. This ensures that the sway bar is in a neutral position when the car is level, providing consistent handling on both left and right turns.

3. Check Clearance with Narrowed Tires

When installing a narrowed sway bar on an extremely lowered car, always perform a full-lock turn test (steering wheel turned all the way to the left and then the right) while the car is on the ground. Narrowed beams often bring the tires closer to the inner fender wells and the sway bar itself. Ensure that your tires do not rub against the sway bar arms or the mounting hardware at full lock. If you experience rubbing, you may need to adjust your steering stops or consider a different wheel offset to maintain safety and prevent tire damage.