Suspension Springs, Shocks, Brakes

changing front sway bar

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Old Dec 14, 2010 | 06:41 PM
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C_A_D88's Avatar
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From: newmarket
changing front sway bar

is it a big job to swap the front sway bar?

can you just unbolt it and slide it out or is it more complicated then that?
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Old Dec 14, 2010 | 06:44 PM
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From: Puyallup, WA
you have to pull the bolts for the tranny mounts, pull some lower plastics, drop the subframe down so that it is only held on in each corner by a few threads. Then unbolt the endlinks from the struts, remove the bolts holding in the sway bar and wiggle it out...
then reverse


if it is an LNF swaybar going in a 2.2 then you have to get new bushings (dont remember the combo that works...but i had to modify them).

Its not too hard, but if you dont know what your working with then it can be a little tricky
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Old Dec 14, 2010 | 09:39 PM
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From: newmarket
id have to install the bolt clamps right? but mine only have the one bolt, so how would i go about getting enough room to drill another hole?
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 02:03 AM
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From: Puyallup, WA
You would just use the existing clamps. That's why u use a bushing from ( I think) the ss/sc sway bar
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 12:37 PM
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if u have the 1 bolt clamps get the bushings on ced (or if the sway bar came with the bushings use the stock ones) I used polyurethane bushings when i put my 23 mm tc bar in. and I used my stock 1 bolt clamps. the other end of the clamp is a flat piece that goes in between the frame like a hook.

***also the bushings only go in one way. the ends have angles slits cut out of them. look at the stock ones when u take them out and put the new ones in the same exact way

u can do it with jack stands in a garge. takes longer but thats what i did

need to take out tranny mount bolts.
take out rear sub fram bolts.
loosen up front sub fram bolts
take off wheels
unbolt both sway bar clamps
and unbolt both enlinks
wiggle the bitch out and wiggle new one in

remember to use grease where all rubber meets metal dont want any squeeks
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 03:40 PM
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From: Puyallup, WA
Originally Posted by PsychoCam
if u have the 1 bolt clamps get the bushings on ced (or if the sway bar came with the bushings use the stock ones) I used polyurethane bushings when i put my 23 mm tc bar in. and I used my stock 1 bolt clamps. the other end of the clamp is a flat piece that goes in between the frame like a hook.

***also the bushings only go in one way. the ends have angles slits cut out of them. look at the stock ones when u take them out and put the new ones in the same exact way

u can do it with jack stands in a garge. takes longer but thats what i did

need to take out tranny mount bolts.
take out rear sub fram bolts.
loosen up front sub fram bolts
take off wheels
unbolt both sway bar clamps
and unbolt both enlinks
wiggle the bitch out and wiggle new one in

remember to use grease where all rubber meets metal dont want any squeeks
ya, we pretty much did it the saem way :P

I ended up having to customize the bushings...the stock ss/tc ones (couldnt get ahold of ss/sc ones) didnt fit into the bracket (made for bolting down on both sides and is skinnier at top) so I used a belt sander and some extra time to customize it :P
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 03:49 PM
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From: Pittsburgh
good thinking!
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 03:52 PM
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From: Puyallup, WA
Originally Posted by PsychoCam
good thinking!
my theory....if it doesnt fit...take it to the grinder/ sander! hahahaha

psyco, car is looking good btw

Last edited by NWAE Cobalt; Dec 15, 2010 at 03:52 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 03:54 PM
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thanks man. I am starting to really think about what i want to do with the car. i want to build the motor but have some concerns.

the amount of money and effort to get cams to work in my car and is it worth the $ for the little gains when i can get a rwd or awd car.

so idk
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 04:03 PM
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From: Puyallup, WA
Originally Posted by PsychoCam
thanks man. I am starting to really think about what i want to do with the car. i want to build the motor but have some concerns.

the amount of money and effort to get cams to work in my car and is it worth the $ for the little gains when i can get a rwd or awd car.

so idk
oh i hear ya there...considering how much ive spent and will spend...its only worth it if you REALLY want to do it...ive debated a few times but i know its what i really want out of the car.

u have a facebook? lol, i have the new chat option on my phone...better then mucking up this guys thread lol
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 04:07 PM
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From: Pittsburgh
ya ad me chad meyers

end/ thread jack lol
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 04:09 PM
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From: Puyallup, WA
lol, word
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 06:43 PM
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From: newmarket
lol thanks guys but if i wanted to do it right and get the tc clamps and drill new holes would i have to unbolt the subframe and like hold the engine with a hoist or what?
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 07:33 PM
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From: Puyallup, WA
Originally Posted by C_A_D88
lol thanks guys but if i wanted to do it right and get the tc clamps and drill new holes would i have to unbolt the subframe and like hold the engine with a hoist or what?
when i looked at mine there is no place to drill the holes. you would have to swap the subframe...although i dont know if this is possible (not sure if there are fitment issues withe steering rack and / or the knuckles.

I believe there just isnt room back ther to drill the holes, also, the front holes are sleeved inside and i believe it has a captured nut on the back...so this would also cause problems...

and trust me..i beat the **** outta my car and suspension and the tab in the back with the bolt at the front works just fine lol
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 09:57 PM
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there are 2 designes to the clamp, 1 is the 2 bolt clamp and the other is the 1 bolt clamp. if ur stock clamps are 1 bolt they will work with the tc or sc sway bar. all u have to do is use the correct bushings.

the 1 bolt clamps unbolt then the other end wiggles out of the slot on the other end. the slot hold that side in.

do not drill holes or anything.....ur stock clamps will work! ! !
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Old Dec 15, 2010 | 11:31 PM
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From: Puyallup, WA
Originally Posted by PsychoCam
there are 2 designes to the clamp, 1 is the 2 bolt clamp and the other is the 1 bolt clamp. if ur stock clamps are 1 bolt they will work with the tc or sc sway bar. all u have to do is use the correct bushings.

the 1 bolt clamps unbolt then the other end wiggles out of the slot on the other end. the slot hold that side in.

do not drill holes or anything.....ur stock clamps will work! ! !
this...

take it from 2 guys who have done it :P
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Old Dec 18, 2010 | 06:05 PM
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single bolt clamps wont work for long. thats why tc and sc are different and have 2 bolt clamps. I dont care muchhow hard you beat your car on the street, its mostly straight line stuff not going around corners, so the sway bars dont do much.
road race or autox? single bolt clamps pull out. that is all
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Old Dec 18, 2010 | 06:11 PM
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From: Puyallup, WA
Originally Posted by qwikredline
single bolt clamps wont work for long. thats why tc and sc are different and have 2 bolt clamps. I dont care muchhow hard you beat your car on the street, its mostly straight line stuff not going around corners, so the sway bars dont do much.
road race or autox? single bolt clamps pull out. that is all
come to wa and ill show you the roads around here yay mountains!!!!!!
"mostly straight" only applies to the freeways :P
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Old Dec 18, 2010 | 06:13 PM
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From: oro valley az
i did it w/ out lowering the subframe brace but it was a bitch
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