Sway Bar / 'Stabilizer' Bar replacement...

[DrLou]

Gents,

Have just rebuilt/replaced my power steering rack and pump. along the way, I removed the sway bar for ease of clearance... (Seems to me I removed the sway bar first - so thought I'd be able to replace it last.) Am replacing sway bar bushings and links as part of the job.

Do I need to drop the exhaust 'Y' pipe to get the bar back in? Or can I only re-fit the sway bar with the front exhaust 'Y' pipe removed? (Do I need to do this?)

Do I need to disconnect tie rod ends for clearance?

Or is there some magical puzzle of twisting and orientation which will let me replace this thing with everything else installed?

Has anyone here done this job himself?

Thanks in advance!

[DrLou]

Bump on this? Anyone?

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I didn't remove any exhaust to put my front stabilizer bar back in
I do remember a lot of twisting the bar by the rack and pinion get it in right
The links are connected to the control arm and the stabilizer bar-
you might have to loosen the nut from the link to the control arm to give
you some play to get the link to go into the stabilizer bar after you have
put new bushing on. I would put the nuts and bolts on the components and
tighten these items up together.

As far as the torque on the links, the FSM and Chiltons seem to have different
torque specs. Its real easy to over-torque the links so be wary.

[DrLou]

Tks for your reply, NutriaforBreakfast...

Ultimately, managed to muscle this thing back in. Did have to loosen the R side steering rack mount and bushing to get past it, but this did the trick. You're right, I think; really didn't need the Y pipe out - but it was already, so made life slightly easier.

No problem reassembling/reattaching swaybar bushings and links. Did have to keep things a bit loose to reconnect everything. Thereafter, no problem.

(updated in case it helps someone in future!) Lou