Installing sway bars correctly?

[the_invisible]

Installing a sway bar should be an easy process. However, the hardest part is that it is necessary to install the endlinks while all 4 tires are on the floor, at ride height.

Since my car has coilovers and is lowered as well as a s14 stock lip, it is impossible to install the endlinks while the tires are on the floor.

I figured that I can put the steering wheel all the way to the left and use the gap to install the endlinks on the left side of the car. Then repeat the process for the right.

I see no movement in the control arms while moving the steering wheel. So I thought moving the steering wheel all the way to the left and to the right to install the endlinks will not affect the rideheight of the car and cause preload of the bar.

Opinions needed.

[Checkered-Member]

No, no and NO

go to the parts store and buy a $20 jack...

and that method wont work, you need both tires in the air to install it

[the_invisible]

Uh, okay.

So you are saying I have to preload the bar in order to install sway bars?? You are just joking right?

I need real answers.

[Exar-Kun]

I installed mine with my car in the air..I dont think it'll line up otherwise...-chet

[240marcuSX]

mine was in the air too. the endlinks werent really too too bad, although i wish they would have tightened more (not that theyre not tight, but they could still be tighter if there were more threads).

i ran out of threads on the bolt because i didnt use the bolts that they came with. the hardest part of my install was bolting the front bar to the chassis with the D bushing(correct name??), if you got the suspension techniques sway bars, the advice i have for you is use the stock bolts that hold the D bushing to the chassis, its stronger and much easier to install (in my case).

[the_invisible]

okay, so everyone here installed their sway bars with the wheels in the air?

Don't you people know that the bar cannot be preloaded unless you want to purposely preload them?

Service manual warns that the car has to be on the ground before connecting the endlinks.

[schyawn]

tightening under "fully laden conditions", is just too difficult to do sometimes. But a trick I did once was to take the wheel off, and use a cinder block and some 2X4 peices to place under the wheel hub, against the brake disc. This way, you have the suspension loaded, and room to put your wrenches in there. Although it's hardly necessary in most cases. Just re-check your bolts after a hundred miles or so.

sean.

[Dori Dori]

Buy ramps.

Or use wood blocks if you're really cheap (that's what I did). 2 peices of 2x4x6 and two peices of 2x4x10 (or longer) and stack. Presto, instant ramps for a couple dollars.

[the_invisible]

Thanks dori and schyawn. I think i will put about 1.5 inch thick of wood underneath the tires to give me enough clearance to get under the car to install the sway bar endlinks.

Just wondering, is it really that hard to install the endlinks?

I heard some people loosening the sway bar brackets a little, then install the endlinks. Then after that, tighten the brackets and then the endlinks. This method sounds like it should work.