sway bar

[RF Overlord]

Yo, my mondo rear sway bar from Dennis arrived today... :D :D :D

Would someone with the shop manual kindly tell me the torque specs (if any) for the various nuts and bolts? I think the only 2 that matter are for the bushings on the axle housing...thanks...

[Marauder57]

RF,

The rear on the MM seems pretty solid to me....what are you looking to gain or improve by the new Sway? Just curious...because I am going to pay Dennis a visit in the next 30 days and was considering the new sway...but was not sure I could "notice" the difference.

[martyo]

RF: I am busy at work, but if you can't locate the specs, call me on the telephone and I will help you out until I can post more detailed info.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by Marauder57
RF,

The rear on the MM seems pretty solid to me....what are you looking to gain or improve by the new Sway? Just curious...because I am going to pay Dennis a visit in the next 30 days and was considering the new sway...but was not sure I could "notice" the difference.

Usually, having a bigger rear sway bar will increase oversteer, giving a more "pinpoint" control, for lack of a better description. I hope to have it installed this weekend and I'll let y'all know...

[CRUZTAKER]

M57:

Read Dennis' post in his forum, he explains it well. If you hot-dog alot, this 'solid' bar will definately improve handling. Let alone polyurthane bushings.

BTW, you can't beat the price.....not even close!

[martyo]

The links get 15 lb-ft (at both ends) and the brackets (with the bushing inserts) get 18 lb-ft. The project looks pretty simple and staright foward.

If you need pics, let me know. I will bring the service manual to work, scan the materials and e-mail it to the bunny.

Or, if LML, the best looking, nicest, smartest, guy I know in the whole wide world, checks in, maybe he can give it to you from his DVD service manual.

Lemme know what else you need.

[RCSignals]

what colour you going to paint it?

[martyo]

Originally posted by RCSignals
what colour you going to paint it?

Why would you paint it?

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by martyo

Lemme know what else you need.

Thanks, smarty-o...that should do it... :D

Paint it? I'll see how it looks after it's installed...if it's too obvious, I'll paint it black...

[jgc61sr2002]

RF - Did you think of powder coating it. I would look great and be perminant. IMHO.

[RF Overlord]

John:

Yes, it probably would, but there aren't a lot of shops on Cape Cod (well, NONE, actually) that can do this, and I'm an impatient kinda guy, so I want it installed NOW...hopefully I'll be able to do it this weekend...

I'm less concerned by how pretty things are under the car, more about whether they WORK they way I want them to...

[RF Overlord]

Well, the sway bar is installed! Aside from a quick call to Dennis just to double check myself on the centering, it was a snap...the hardest part of the job is holding the new one up while simultaneously trying to get the first bolt started...having a friend around for that part would be nice...

Unfortunately, the roads are starting to get wet (this has been the rainiest season we've had on the Cape in a long time), so I can't give it a good thrashing, but as soon as I have some SOTP data, I'll let y'all know...

Tools used: ½" combination wrench, ½" socket, and vise-grips (for the end-links) and 10mm socket (for the bushings). Total install time, including the above-mentioned phone call, and stopping to wash my hands once in the middle, 1 hour. If anyone wants any further installation info, just send me a PM...

Once again, Dennis has hit the ball out of the park!

Added later:

Quick trip to the local recycling centre...about 9 miles RT...car feels flatter and steering, especially when exiting a curve, feels more precise... so far, so :D

[Fourth Horseman]

RF, would you mind detailing that centering issue a bit? I'm planning on ordering this ASAP and would appreciate any heads up before I install. Thanks!

[RF Overlord]

Fourth...check your PMs...

I thought centering was more critical on initial installation, but Dennis explained the bar is self-aligning once you drive the car a little...

[darebren]

is this a jack up both sides of the car job?

[RF Overlord]

darebren:

No, you need to use ramps or a lift that picks up the car under the wheels...or do it over a pit...

This is from Addco's web site:

"Because most suspensions travel in arc, the use of a lift or supporting the vehicle by the frame and allowing the wheels to hang can cause bar misalignment and installation difficulties. The use of ramps or other devices that support the vehicle by the wheels is highly recommended for proper bar alignment and installation. In most cases of "This bar does not fit my car!," the problem is that a lift was used and the wheels were allowed to hang. Remember, the suspension must be at static ride height."

[Fourth Horseman]

Thanks for the help RF! Ordering mine this week. :up:

[Fourth Horseman]

Ordered mine today. Woot! :bounce: