C5 Sway Bar Installation Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 513
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Beach Va
C5 Sway Bar Installation Question
I am about to install C6 Z51 sway bars on my 2000 coupe and have two questions:
Does anyone know the correct torque settings for the bolts and nuts on the bushing brackets? (I've heard they should be around 75 ft/lbs)
Should you lubricate the inside of the bushings prior to installing on the sway bars? If so, with what type of lubricant?
Sorry...that was three questions.
Does anyone know the correct torque settings for the bolts and nuts on the bushing brackets? (I've heard they should be around 75 ft/lbs)
Should you lubricate the inside of the bushings prior to installing on the sway bars? If so, with what type of lubricant?
Sorry...that was three questions.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I'm looking at installing these as well so report back your impressions.
Here are the torque values from my 2002 service manual. I used some white lithium grease on mine and it quieted it right down. It was noisy prior to me lubricating the insulators. Not sure how compatible the lithium grease is with the insulators though.
Front sway bar insulator brackets: 43 lb-ft
Front sway bar link nuts: 53 lb-ft
Rear sway bar insulator bracket bolt: 49 lb-ft
Rear sway bar insulator bracket nut: 70 lb-ft
Rear sway bar link nuts: 53 lb-ft
Here are the torque values from my 2002 service manual. I used some white lithium grease on mine and it quieted it right down. It was noisy prior to me lubricating the insulators. Not sure how compatible the lithium grease is with the insulators though.
Front sway bar insulator brackets: 43 lb-ft
Front sway bar link nuts: 53 lb-ft
Rear sway bar insulator bracket bolt: 49 lb-ft
Rear sway bar insulator bracket nut: 70 lb-ft
Rear sway bar link nuts: 53 lb-ft
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 21
From: Napa Ca
Sorry for jumping in but: can you remove old bar and install new by just working on front or back end at a time up on rhino ramps? Or does the whole car have to be up in the air with the wheels/suspension unloaded?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 513
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Beach Va
Update
I did the sway bar installation yesterday. Everything went pretty smooth and it only took less than two hours from putting the car on ramps to test driving around the neighborhood.
I placed the front on two custom ramps that I made for changing my own oil. Then I lifted the back about 5" and rested the rear on some wood blocks. Weight distribution was probably close to that on the ground.
Install went great and the C6 Z51 bars bolted right on with no problems.
Torqued the bolts to spec as noted in the post above. Tossed those little weenie stock sway bars in the garbage and I'm ready to roll.
I placed the front on two custom ramps that I made for changing my own oil. Then I lifted the back about 5" and rested the rear on some wood blocks. Weight distribution was probably close to that on the ground.
Install went great and the C6 Z51 bars bolted right on with no problems.
Torqued the bolts to spec as noted in the post above. Tossed those little weenie stock sway bars in the garbage and I'm ready to roll.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville AR
The car is to low to get under so you have to lift it.
Are these question are are you being funny?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville AR
[
I used a white lithium grease the first time I did my sway bars but a year or so later they started to creak so i purchased some poly bushing grease and that did the trick. Poly grease is extremely sticky and will not melt away like lithium did (lithium oozed out and made a sticky mess).
I used a white lithium grease the first time I did my sway bars but a year or so later they started to creak so i purchased some poly bushing grease and that did the trick. Poly grease is extremely sticky and will not melt away like lithium did (lithium oozed out and made a sticky mess).
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
[
I used a white lithium grease the first time I did my sway bars but a year or so later they started to creak so i purchased some poly bushing grease and that did the trick. Poly grease is extremely sticky and will not melt away like lithium did (lithium oozed out and made a sticky mess).
I used a white lithium grease the first time I did my sway bars but a year or so later they started to creak so i purchased some poly bushing grease and that did the trick. Poly grease is extremely sticky and will not melt away like lithium did (lithium oozed out and made a sticky mess).
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
I'm looking at installing these as well so report back your impressions.
Here are the torque values from my 2002 service manual. I used some white lithium grease on mine and it quieted it right down. It was noisy prior to me lubricating the insulators. Not sure how compatible the lithium grease is with the insulators though.
Front sway bar insulator brackets: 43 lb-ft
Front sway bar link nuts: 53 lb-ft
Rear sway bar insulator bracket bolt: 49 lb-ft
Rear sway bar insulator bracket nut: 70 lb-ft
Rear sway bar link nuts: 53 lb-ft
Here are the torque values from my 2002 service manual. I used some white lithium grease on mine and it quieted it right down. It was noisy prior to me lubricating the insulators. Not sure how compatible the lithium grease is with the insulators though.
Front sway bar insulator brackets: 43 lb-ft
Front sway bar link nuts: 53 lb-ft
Rear sway bar insulator bracket bolt: 49 lb-ft
Rear sway bar insulator bracket nut: 70 lb-ft
Rear sway bar link nuts: 53 lb-ft
As far as LUBE goes use a SILICONE spray and you'll be set!
Do not use oil or WD-40 for this can deteriate the rubber.Thanks,Matt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
[
I used a white lithium grease the first time I did my sway bars but a year or so later they started to creak so i purchased some poly bushing grease and that did the trick. Poly grease is extremely sticky and will not melt away like lithium did (lithium oozed out and made a sticky mess).
I used a white lithium grease the first time I did my sway bars but a year or so later they started to creak so i purchased some poly bushing grease and that did the trick. Poly grease is extremely sticky and will not melt away like lithium did (lithium oozed out and made a sticky mess).
Use the sticky elephant snot
It's made for this purpose. Believe you can get it at auto parts stores across the country. I think I got mine @ auto zone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville AR
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville AR
Great, one of the best mods I have done. Do yourself a favor and purchase the poly bushing - front and rear (most some with the proper lube too) and the aluminum end links and you will be squeak free and it will handle much better. 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
[
I used a white lithium grease the first time I did my sway bars but a year or so later they started to creak so i purchased some poly bushing grease and that did the trick. Poly grease is extremely sticky and will not melt away like lithium did (lithium oozed out and made a sticky mess).
I used a white lithium grease the first time I did my sway bars but a year or so later they started to creak so i purchased some poly bushing grease and that did the trick. Poly grease is extremely sticky and will not melt away like lithium did (lithium oozed out and made a sticky mess).
I've tried white lithium, Mobil 1 syn. grease (pink stuff), Silicone die-electric grease and they all dry out quickly and the car starts riding like it has no suspension at all.
I used the poly bushing grease that came with the poly bushings that I purchased from Ecklers and that's still holding up. And yes, that stuff is sticky. Not easy to wipe off your fingers and tools afterwards!
If anyone knows where to buy poly bushing silicone grease please post it up!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
....I used the poly bushing grease that came with the poly bushings that I purchased from Ecklers and that's still holding up. And yes, that stuff is sticky. Not easy to wipe off your fingers and tools afterwards!
If anyone knows where to buy poly bushing silicone grease please post it up!
If anyone knows where to buy poly bushing silicone grease please post it up!
I don't know the ES part number off hand, but it's available in a 2-3 oz. container for about $4-5 from ES dealers.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...p?prod=9.11104