So my 1988 Mera I find does not have a rear sway bar; explains why it corners so squirley. Can someone post pics of where it attaches to control arm? I searched here and internet but can't find pictures of 1988 suspension, only 84-87.

Dr Xtreme

quote Originally posted by DrXtreme: Can someone post pics of where it attaches to control arm?

No. On an '88, the ends of the rear sway bar don't attach to control arms.

There've been plenty of photos posted here of '88 GT and Formula rear suspensions. Here's one originally posted by Bloozberry. I've added a red arrow to indicate the bracket that the rear sway bar's end link attaches to.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-24-2021).]

I have some pics of both my custom (Slightly) brackets and stock brackets;

Stock bracket;



My custom bracket;

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 08-24-2021).]

Thank you for the detailed pictures, mow I understand where it gets routed in/around the cradle. The mounting tab on the strut is gone so it was intentionally left off. I need to jack up the car and see if the exhaust is in the way and the reason for no sway bar.

quote Originally posted by DrXtreme: I need to jack up the car and see if the exhaust is in the way and the reason for no sway bar.

Keep in mind that only the '88 GT and Formula came from the factory with a rear sway bar. If your Mera was built using the chassis of a base model '88 (was that done?), then it never had a rear sway bar.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Keep in mind that only the '88 GT and Formula came from the factory with a rear sway bar. If your Mera was built using the chassis of a base model '88 (was that done?), then it never had a rear sway bar.

So, in these photos, one shows RUBBER dampers on the sway bar ends, the other, shows what looks like cream-colored NYLON dampers. Which is OEM correct? I've seen an 88 with those nylon dampers all crumbling away. I would think that the rubber ones would last longer.

Also, I've read some people say to tighten the washer until is just touches the rubber. Others say to tighten enough to compress the rubber. Your advice? Service manual does not specify which.

Cream-colored NYLON dampers were OEM and yes; my nylon dampers were crumbling away.

As cvxjet photo, I too bought Rodney's Zero Lash End Links on the front and the rear........

In 88, the MERA's were built on the Formula chassis.

Another thing to consider is if it is squirrelly could be worn struts or alignment is out.

Second the worn struts or bad alignment.
I have an 88 coupe that I completely rebuilt the suspension with poly (except for the trailing links.)
Without the sway bar, it just seemed "loose". But not squirrely. It was not hard to control, at any point.
After adding the sway bar, it just seemed to be "tighter". More precise.

Hope that makes sense.