Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Pretty much everything on the bottom side of the coach: Steering, wheels, tires, brakes, suspension
Tange206
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2022 6:59 pm

Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Post by Tange206 »

I have a 1991 Safari Serengeti with the 8v92 DD and an Oshkosh Chassis. I am looking to replace the sway bar end links in the rear axel and I was interested if;
A. Is there is an OEM end link with bushings that I can source?
OR
B. Is there a better compatible end link I can order which might improve my cornering even better than an OEM?

Details;
My rear axle is a Eaton Part #: 304236 (Image attached), the sway bar end links are perfectly 12" long, my problem was the bottom end of the thread on the rear right end link was so corroded that it stripped after I heated it up so I ended up chopping it above the lower lock nut. There is another thread asking about swaybar bushings here viewtopic.php?f=8&t=40115&p=225508&hili ... nk#p225508 but I did not find anything useful on ordering compatible end links.

Thanks!
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wolfe10
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:12 pm

Re: Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Post by wolfe10 »

Anything wrong with the end links or only the bushings.

Should be able to find polyurethane bushings (need 8) if the "metal" is OK.

Please check on your engine. Suspect it is the FOUR STROKE 8.2 Detroit diesel, NOT the TWO STROKE 6V92 diesel.

HUGE DIFFERENCE. Doubt there is a single component in common.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
Tange206
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2022 6:59 pm

Re: Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Post by Tange206 »

wolfe10 wrote: Tue Jun 14, 2022 2:17 pm Anything wrong with the end links or only the bushings.

Should be able to find polyurethane bushings (need 8) if the "metal" is OK.

Please check on your engine. Suspect it is the FOUR STROKE 8.2 Detroit diesel, NOT the TWO STROKE 6V92 diesel.

HUGE DIFFERENCE. Doubt there is a single component in common.
Its nothing wrong with the 8v92 and the 8v92 is also a 2 stroke, but that is beside the point. The bushings are only part of the problem, the problem is the straight end link is sheared off at the end where the bottom locking nut and bushing are attached. I need to find a replacement end link. I was looking at the Poiner Metal Works "tiger track" system but that is for the velvet ride suspension for the gas rigs, so I dont know if it will work.
TDJohn
Posts: 552
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:34 pm

Re: Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Post by TDJohn »

8V92 is very rare in a Safari coach, so you got a unique one.
I would call Frieghtliner with your chassis and/or VIN numbers. They should be able to get the part for you or at least give you the needed dimensions.

You could also take the parts to a suspension supplier and they should be able to find something for you.

I far as I know, Safari Motor Coach only installed diesel engines into their coaches that were build on their in house Magnum chassis. So what you were looking at was probably the Tiger Traks build my PMW that were made to fit '94 to '02 Magnum chassis Safari coaches.

Can you please attach a photo of your engine, would be neat to see and document a rarity...
John
'95 Serengeti, Cummins C8.3-300
Allison 6spd.
Tange206
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2022 6:59 pm

Re: Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Post by Tange206 »

TDJohn wrote: Tue Jun 14, 2022 9:02 pm 8V92 is very rare in a Safari coach, so you got a unique one.
I would call Frieghtliner with your chassis and/or VIN numbers. They should be able to get the part for you or at least give you the needed dimensions.

You could also take the parts to a suspension supplier and they should be able to find something for you.

I far as I know, Safari Motor Coach only installed diesel engines into their coaches that were built on their in-house Magnum chassis. So what you were looking at was probably the Tiger Traks build my PMW that were made to fit '94 to '02 Magnum chassis Safari coaches.

Can you please attach a photo of your engine, would be neat to see and document a rarity...
Well, I owe Wolfee10 an apology it is the 8.2 not the 8v92 he and you were right! Well, I am glad I know now I just bought the vehicle and the records and dealership said one thing and I had to crawl into the engine bay to confirm but it is definitely a 8.2 not the 8v92. I have to admit I am disappointed after looking up the DD 8.2 looks like a sub-par 4 stroke but its low miles at least.

So well now does this affect the sway bar on the suspension? Does it affect the part for the end link?
TDJohn
Posts: 552
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:34 pm

Re: Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Post by TDJohn »

I don't think the type of engine will make a difference on what sway bar links you need. Give Freightliner a call.

Sounds like the dealer misrepresented the coach, if he put it in writing, stating that it was a 8V92, then you should have legal recourse if you choose.

The 8.2L engine is a strange one. In marine duty (boat engine), that engine was well known to go 40k hours w/o a rebuild, pretty much just water pumps and alternators. But in the bus/medium truck service, they seemed to have issues and many hated the engine. The only logical conclusion I can think of, is lack of knowledge on working on that engine, and cooling capacity. In marine service the cooling capacities are usually over built and use cold sea water through heat exchangers. In over the road applications, the cooling systems were often marginal at best, and at times the loads were high, especially on mountain passes with automatic transmissions that did not have locking torque converters. So the addition heat from the engine and transmission, under load, would overwhelm the cooling systems and the engines were more prone to over heating and running high EGTs. So being that you have a low mileage engine, if you maintain it well and watch you engine temps, you should ok and not have issues.
John
'95 Serengeti, Cummins C8.3-300
Allison 6spd.
Mark J.
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2020 11:38 am
Location: Austin, MN

Re: Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Post by Mark J. »

I searched for quite a while trying to locate front replacements for my 94 Ivory Edition. I ended up ordering high strength, fine threaded rod from Grainger. It showed up in a couple days.
wolfe10
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:12 pm

Re: Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Post by wolfe10 »

Yes, allthread and a sleeve and washers/nuts can be used as a substitute for the end link.
Last edited by wolfe10 on Thu Jun 16, 2022 10:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
ProCycle
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2020 1:28 pm

Re: Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Post by ProCycle »

Doesn't have to be allthread. A grade 8 bolt of appropriate length will be stronger. Add a length of pipe or tube.
Jeff
1997 Ivory Edition 3740 Cat 3126 Allison
Mark J.
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2020 11:38 am
Location: Austin, MN

Re: Looking For New Sway Bar End Links For 1991 Safari Serengeti

Post by Mark J. »

ProCycle wrote: Thu Jun 16, 2022 10:13 am Doesn't have to be allthread. A grade 8 bolt of appropriate length will be stronger. Add a length of pipe or tube.
Mine original piece was threaded on both ends. A bolt wouldn’t have worked in my application.
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