Submitted by Ryan Clark
Submitted by Ryan Clark
Disclaimer: As with most work relating to a car, extreme care must be taken. Although a relatively basic procedure, be sure to take the necessary precautions before you attempt to get underneath any car. I assume no repsonsibility for damages incurred upon an individual's car, or possible injury afflicted to oneself. This how-to is simply to serve as a supplemental guide for installation. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at ryan@g1teg.org. Be sure to click on the images for a larger version.
The following how-to applies to a Suspension Techniques rear sway bar, intended for use on any '86-'89 Integra, or '84-'87 Civic/CRX. Before you start, be sure you have the following handy...
To begin this installation you will need a pair of jackstands and a floorjack. In substitution, I used a set of ramps, to back the car up onto. Both methods work fine.
Before you get started, thoroughly lubricate the inside of the polyurethane bushings with the supplied white lithium grease. Slide two of the bushings over the long straight part of the bar, as close to the bends as possible. Once the rear of the car is supported, grab your tape measure and crawl underneath. Locate the center of the axle, and measure approximately 15" in either direction. Your u-bolts for the axle mounts will go here. It may help to scribe a small line on the axle for reference, as seen in the image to your left. Note the scratches/gouges in the panhard rod. That was from about half an hour previous, attempting to install an adjustable panhard rod. I was trying to get the OEM sleeve out of the stock rubber bushing in the panhard. I was unsuccessful... Back to the swaybar...
This is where your buddy comes into play. Have him help you position the bar, while you position the u-bolts on the axle. Simply slide them over the top, so the threads hang down, slide on the C-shaped clamp, then the straight slotted bracket, and finally left the bar to line up the poly bushing to the u-bolt. Install the washer, thread on the nylock nut, and do the same to the adjacent threads. This will hold the bar in place, temporarily.
Do the same with the other side of the axle. Next, swing both ends up toward the rear control arms, to where they'll connect. Slide the remaining 2 bushings onto the bar where it connects to the control arm. Drop the u-bolt over the outer part of where the control arm connects to the unibody. This will require some patience. Just keep at it, 'jimmying' the u-bolt until it drops down. Install the hardware, much like you did for the axle brackets, and thread on the nylock nuts, not forgetting the washers. Just enough to hold it in place for now.
Repeat this process for the other side as well. Once everything is in place, pull out your 14mm socket or open end wrench, and tighten all the brackets. Be sure to tighten them evenly, so as not to put one section in a bind.
Just a few notes...
- Be sure to line up the slotted brackets on the axle strap mounts properly, and make sure that the u-bolts are perpendicular to the axle, and not cocked.
- It may prove beneficial to use Loctite or something similar on the threads. I have noticed my bar loosening up after aggressive driving, and this may be a solution.
- You may have interference with the swaybar contacting the exhaust. If this is the case, simply acquire some hose clamps, and pull the exhaust up and away from the swaybar. You can use the factory exhaust hanger location to anchor the hose clamp.
Again, if you have any questions, please email me before you start the install.