Newby Need help - Problem reinstalling Sway bar
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Newby Need help - Problem reinstalling Sway bar
A buddy and I installed my new Corsa Sport system yesterday and wow they sound great. My concern is that I’m trying to reinstall the sway bar and I can’t screw the top nuts anymore, they are extremely difficult to screw in, they are not moving anymore, I still have ½ inch to go and I don’t want to break anything especially the aluminium frame. I had to stop and back it out like 3-4 times because I thought it was cross threading, but each time the threads were clean. I’m using a small wrench (9”) maybe that’s the problem; any advice would be great, thanks. 
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
You want to be very careful not to strip those mounting points as the threads are just tapped into the aluminum boss shown. I seem to recall that bolt being stiff (possibly due to factory thread lock?). Inspect the bolt and clean up if necessary. Make sure the bolt is going in true and use a short 3/8th breaker bar or extended ratchet..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
You want to be very careful not to strip those mounting points as the threads are just tapped into the aluminum boss shown. I seem to recall that bolt being stiff (possibly due to factory thread lock?). Inspect the bolt and clean up if necessary. Make sure the bolt is going in true and use a short 3/8th breaker bar or extended ratchet..
Mine were a PITA too. I finally used a little anti-seize compound to lube them and got them in.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
St. Jude Donor '08
Make sure you recheck the torque on yours after a couple days of driving. I didn't and my muffler shop must not have tightened them enough and the top bolt pulled out (threads and all) and the sway bar almost ripped the clamp off. Getting a drill up there wasn't easier either. Helicoil is great stuff when you need it.
I used your pic to show which bolt ripped out on mine:
I used your pic to show which bolt ripped out on mine:
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 6
From: Stephenville Tx
I had the same thing happen when replacing these bolts on my exhaust switch. However, I put a little more muscle and used a pipe over the ratchet (aka - breaker bar) and it went in w/o any further fight. It sounds like this is pretty common. You definately need that sway bar tightened down.
jke
jke
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs CO
It's an absolute must to retorque the swaybar mounts after you finish. If you don't, you'll hear noises from the rear and eventually things might back out. Here are the specs:
Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Clamp Bolt - 49 lb ft
Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Clamp Nut - 70 lb ft
Stabilizer Shaft Link Nuts (on the ends) - 53 lb ft
HTH.
Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Clamp Bolt - 49 lb ft
Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Clamp Nut - 70 lb ft
Stabilizer Shaft Link Nuts (on the ends) - 53 lb ft
HTH.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
I always install mine with weight on the wheels as it would operate. I never have trouble installing the bolts. Is it a bolt thread kinda issue or does it feel like a weight or alignment issue? Try chasing the threads.
Last edited by AintQik; Jan 22, 2008 at 01:52 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 6
From: Pinellas Park Florida
A buddy and I installed my new Corsa Sport system yesterday and wow they sound great. My concern is that I’m trying to reinstall the sway bar and I can’t screw the top nuts anymore, they are extremely difficult to screw in, they are not moving anymore, I still have ½ inch to go and I don’t want to break anything especially the aluminium frame. I had to stop and back it out like 3-4 times because I thought it was cross threading, but each time the threads were clean. I’m using a small wrench (9”) maybe that’s the problem; any advice would be great, thanks.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Well first I’ll like thanks everyone on this post; your comments were truly appreciated and helpful. As C6Cowboy put it, I used a little more muscle and longer wrench and it went in without problem. Now all I have to do is figured out the torque, my torque wrench is using “in. lb”, not sure how to translate this in “ft.lb”. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,824
Likes: 3
From: The left Coast
St. Jude Donor '08
Well first I’ll like thanks everyone on this post; your comments were truly appreciated and helpful. As C6Cowboy put it, I used a little more muscle and longer wrench and it went in without problem. Now all I have to do is figured out the torque, my torque wrench is using “in. lb”, not sure how to translate this in “ft.lb”.
