Front Sway Bar Installation
Difficulty: 1/5
Time to install: 90 mins
Tools Required: Socket and Ratchet set, 14mm Wrench, 5mm Allen Key, Screwdrivers, Rhino Ramps or Jackstands
Front Sway Bar installation is not difficult, just a bit time consuming your first time. It is really only held in by 6 bolts. Removing the plastic splash pan probably takes up half the project. That is not difficult either, but you should take note of where each bolt and screw came from. As a beginner, they can all start looking a like really quickly!
Most aftermarket sway bars have multiple holes at the end for adjusting tension. Follow the manufacturer's instructions advice for recommended settings at first. Since you are altering the suspension of the car, use caution while driving until you understand how the car reacts with the new bar and settings. I highly recommend visiting www.drivingfast.net so you can review the entries for Oversteer and Understeer.
Get the car up on ramps or jackstands.
The end link is the 4-6 inch rod connected to the end of the sway bar. Factory end links feature a unique bolt that has a 5mm Allen Keyway in it. It is very easy to miss and can be a source of a lot of frustration. Place the allen key in the bolt and hold it still while using a wrench to remove the nut.
Your factory swaybar will be black, not gray. But this picture serves the same purpose. Remove the sway bar brackets that are held by two bolts each. Be careful, the sway bar is a little heavier than you might expect!
Your new swaybar will also come with new bushings to accomodate the new sway bar diameter. Make sure you lubricate it with the supplied packet of grease, otherwise, the bar won't rotate smoothly and may make creaking noises.
Place the busing on each side of the sway bar and then retighten the sway bar clamps.
Attach the end links to the sway bar ends using the wrench and allen key as before.
