David K Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Do i need to install the sway bars when the car is on the ground, or when the car is up on jackstands? Do i need to tighten the nuts on the sway bar link as tight as i can, or is there a spec? Urethane bushings. Ive had these parts for 2 years, finally putting them on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auxilary Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 sway bar nuts should be tightened to about 15 ft lbs on endlinks, and 15-20 on the body. don't overtighten. don't forget to grease the bushings. sway bars should be installed with car off the ground, nuts tightened with car on the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synlubes Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 David, this is just my way I put the "main hoops" in just tight enough to get a little stiff. I then lower the car on all 4`s and connect all the link ends, just to take out tension. (I have some 2x broads made into some ramps / adout 5"high) I drive on to my ramps and tighten all the link ends, then the main hoops. I only thighten the link ends "good n tight" (german torque) at first then you will want to ck and tighten them after a few rides. Just bring everything up till the bushing are "good n tight" . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted July 17, 2003 Author Share Posted July 17, 2003 Sounds like im going to install the sway bars off the ground loose, then lower the z to the ground and drive it around the corner to get the wheels back in line, then tighten the nuts. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 I do it with the control arms supported on the jackstands. The suspension needs to be near ride height to make it easy. Tighten the end links as tight as you need to get the nut to bottom out. That long bolt is a shoulder bolt and the preload on the bushings has nothing to do with the torque on the nut. It is determined by the length of the bolt shank, bushings, washers and spacers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 If you want to take the preload out of the swaybars you can drive around as planned then loosen both ends. Sit in the car, and have someone else do the work because your weight is important here. One end of the sway bar end will touch the end link, the other will be probably 3/8 to 1/2 inch from touching. Put a stack of flat washers on the side that is higher so that both bar ends touch the end links at the same time. Then tighten as usual. If you don't do this then the bar is constantly preloaded, which is not noticeable by most but will tend to make the car feel different when turning left vs right. Jon Mortensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted July 18, 2003 Author Share Posted July 18, 2003 Wow! I supported the car on stands, and loosely installed the sway bars. I then dropped the car and drove it around the block, came back, added 500 pounds in weights to the car (driver and passenger...more on my side hehe), then tightened the nuts down to 22 pounds. The car needs an alignment, but it sure wants to eat the road more! Even when im going straight it feels better!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 Amazing what happens when things are done the right way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted July 19, 2003 Share Posted July 19, 2003 One problem that I haven't been able to solve when checking for any corner preload with the car on the ground is - unless the ground is level for all four wheels you are going to be out. Knowing that my garage concrete floor is not level, I do the preload check with the wheels on full droop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted July 19, 2003 Share Posted July 19, 2003 I used to do it on an alignment rack. I've seen my ITSS Firebird racing ex boss lift his car on the hoist, set it down on 4 upside down 50 gal drums to give himself a place to work. If you don't have a flat space it makes things pretty tough. I suppose you could make blocks that are level and pull the car onto the blocks. I don't know exactly what kind of ROI you would be getting at that point... Jon Mortensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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