Front/rear sway bar torque specs
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,406
Likes: 2,744
Specs are in the 3C Section for the front and the 3D Section for the rear in the appropriate FSM, for yours the '89. It should be I believe the last page of each section. For yours I believe you could use any year FSM '88+. Are there differences? I wouldn't think but stranger things have been noted in the FSM's.
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Peabody MA
http://www.torkspec.com/torkspecmm.aspx?KI=97
Check the site, but I believe the end links are all around 35-40 ft-lbs or something like that. Rear bar bushings are only 18 ft-lbs and front bar bushings are around 40ft-lbs I believe. Send me a PM if you have any more sway bar install questions, I just did it and it's fresh in my mind!
- Vinnie
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Peabody MA
Just press that one in first, use some grease. It's easier to press it in without the little metal thing inside of the bushing, press that in after you have the bushing in.
See that bushing on the right? I never ended up using that, it just didn't seem necessary.
Also, us an arbor press if you can, a vice will give you a hard time
See that bushing on the right? I never ended up using that, it just didn't seem necessary.
Also, us an arbor press if you can, a vice will give you a hard time
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 442
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville TN
Vinnie- I greased up the bushing on the left and got it in the sleeve with no problem. I used a C clamp and a socket on the thrust washer, the one on the right that you didn't use, and it popped onto the bar easily. Problem is that thrust washer makes the end of the bar too wide to fit between the end link. I was wondering if I could install the bar without that washer like you said you did. The kit had them in their own bag with a label that said optional.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 442
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville TN
Anyone know if the thrust washer on inner part of the front sway bar is necessary? I'd like to finish the install today and if I can take them off and install that would be great vs trimming them down.
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Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Peabody MA
I didn't install mine, and I took the car out for a pretty hard drive the other day and noticed no issues. I don't think it's necessary personally, there was no such bushing there originally so I felt no need to install it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 442
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville TN
Vinnie- I took your advice and after looking at the stock bar again noticed that it didn't have the bushing. Finally got the bar in after having to switch the bar to frame bushings around a few times to get fan clearance, and then went for a good drive on a twisty and rough road to settle the suspension. I LOVE the bar! The car is MUCH flatter than it was with the stock 26mm bar. Ride height returned to normal which I was very happy about. I had read that some folks cars sat 1" higher after install. For those who are doing a search about the bar to frame bushing orientation, I put the thin side toward the back even though I read lots of posts saying to put it toward the front. With it toward the front the bar hits the fan. With it toward the back the end links are straight up and down and there is plenty of room between the bar end and shock. Greased the hell out of the bushings with marine grease and no squeaks.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 442
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville TN
I checked and the bar is not in contact with anything. I couldn't find a PS cooler at all. I did a search and it appears it was included with the Z51 package at least before the LT1's. I could be wrong.