Repair 7

How to Mount a Rear Sway Bar

Most cars come with a front sway bar, which is located underneath the vehicle and helps improve handling, particularly during tight corners. If you want to further improve handling, one option is to install a rear sway bar. You should be able to do the job in a couple of hours. After youre finished, you will be able to take tighter corners at higher speeds, and handling will be noticeably improved. The process is similar for most vehicles, although for higher-end vehicles you may want to let a mechanic install the sway bar.

Instructions

1

Raise the rear end of the vehicle with a jack. Lower the rear end onto jack stands for support so that the vehicle doesnt fall on you when youre installing the sway bar.

2

Use the bushing grease found in your sway bar kit to coat the bushings. Slide the bushings onto the sway bar and move them onto the straight section near the middle.

3

Slide the brackets onto the torsion beam that is hooked up to the rear suspension. Use the tape measure to make sure that the brackets are evenly spaced.

4

Use the 3/8-inch ratchet and an open-end wrench to bolt clamps over the bushings.

5

Place the jack under the torsion beam by the shock mount for support. Use your 3/8-inch ratchet and socket to unbolt the shock mount.

6

Connect the end links by moving the heim joints all the way into the threaded assembly. There should be a locknut in the middle. Your threads should be approximately halfway out of the collar -- measure to be sure.

7

Use the longer bolts from your rear sway bar kit to connect the heim joint to the shock hole. Bolt the other end to the rear sway bar.

8

Connect the portion of the link that isnt threaded to the shock mount bolt.

9

Repeat Steps 6 through 8 on the other side of the vehicle. Raise the vehicle above the jack stands. Remove the stands, then lower the vehicle to the ground.