Rear swaybar installation

**sierra055** · 06-11-2007, 03:29 PM

Well, after recieving my new Whiteline rear sway bar courtesy of Brad and Shane (thanks again for organising guys!) I spent this morning getting it all fitted up.

I thought i'd grab a few photos as I went cause well, the included instructions were basic at best.

The kit as it arrives

Attachment 1309

Firstly, jack the rear of the car up and place jack stands under the car. I used the rear swing arm, just where the handbrake line passes over.

Attachment 1310

Next, you have to undo and remove the bolt securing the bottom of the rear shock. I got a piece of wood and a brick to take some of the tension off the bolt to help remove it.

Attachment 1312

Next, take the "box" bracket and bolt it using the OEM bolt to the shock mounting point. The box bracket has 2 sized holes, however both of the bolts (for the shock and for the hanger bracket) were the same thickness, and the instructions didn't specify which one to use. I used the smaller hole facing the shock mount, as I found it easier to later place the bolt for the hanger bracket through the larger hole.

Place the smaller of the 2 bolts through the "box" bracket and use one of the large washers on the otherside and secure with a nylock nut.

Attachment 1313

Next, use the supplied grease and apply liberally to the inside of the "D" bushes and place them on the sway bar. The bushes have a slice on one side, so they slip over pretty easily. I placed mine about 1 inch from the bend.

Next, place the U bolts over the top of the rear swingarm. I found there was a small indent near to where the swingarm mounts to the car and that the bolts fit here quite comfortably. Next (possibly needing a friend for this part!) Place the U bolt through the holes in the steel plate on each side, then lift the sway bar into place. Over the top of the "D" bushes, goes the curved (or as they refer to it "saddle") brackets, these are then fitted off with a large washer and flange nut.

This was a bit tricky, but having someone to help hold the bar and slip on the washer and flange nut helps a lot.

Attachment 1314

**sierra055** · 06-11-2007, 03:36 PM

Next come fitting the tail ends of the sway bar to the hanger brackets.
Basically, the further in (towards front of car) you mount the sway bar to the hanger bracket the stiffer the sway bar will act.
I have set mine up on the second last hole closer to the front.

Use the larger (and hopefully only remaining) bolts, placing them through the hanger and sway bar. Fit these off with the large washers and nylock nuts

Attachment 1315

Finally, once you have everything lined up OK, tighten all the nuts ensuring there is no free play.
With the U Bolts, I found that I couldn't tighten them as much as I would have liked for fear of crushing the hollow swingarm. I may just be being pedantic here, but I will keep an eye on it an monitor.

Don't forget to tighten them up after a week or so to ensure there hasn't been any loosening after the bolts stretch and settle.

Attachment 1316

Hopefully this is of some use anyway....

After taking the car for a quick spirited shake down drive, I definately could feel an improvement. As mentioned I have mine on the seconf stiffest setting and found it to be pretty good. For track work I will probably run it on the stiffer setting.

**FknDubbin** · 06-11-2007, 03:37 PM

Make sure you re-tension it after a week or so. I re-tensioned mine when i put the coilovers in and lets just say the U-bolts had stretched alot and many turns were required!

**shami** · 06-11-2007, 09:00 PM

Good write up!! If you in sydney can you install mine??

**YellowDieselGolf** · 07-11-2007, 09:50 AM

Any photos from the rear of the car, after installation? Just wondering how low it hangs

**sierra055** · 07-11-2007, 04:54 PM

I'll grab some tonight for you... It does sit a bit lower than the shock mounts.

Shami, sorry mate, am in Melbourne... It really is pretty easy though! Took me about 45 mins including taking photos