Installing sway bars

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Jan 20, 2009 | 06:34 PM

Snowwolfe

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 8,473

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From: Alaska

Installing sway bars

When (IF!) my 09 coupe comes in I plan on tossing the factory sway bars and installing a Z51 set.

Is this an easy swap? Does it require any realignment after I swap them out?

Jan 20, 2009 | 07:01 PM

jxhunte

Pro

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 605

Likes: 15

From: Rocky Mountains Colorado

A search will render more info than you need but to answer your question simply, changing out sway bars is a simple job requiring minimal skill. Perform a search and you will have everything you need for this job.

Jan 20, 2009 | 07:14 PM

ken-rx

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 970

Likes: 3

From: brooklyn ny

A no-brainer, easy.

Jan 20, 2009 | 07:19 PM

Snowwolfe

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 8,473

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From: Alaska

Thanks.
Any reason to avoid buying "take off" sway bars? Seller is claiming they were taken off the car with only 50 miles on it.

Jan 21, 2009 | 12:59 PM

CMY SIX

Safety Car

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 4,684

Likes: 107

From: Opelika Alabama

why? "NEW" is $200

Jan 21, 2009 | 01:09 PM

mikeci

Racer

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 373

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From: White Plains NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowwolfe

Thanks.
Any reason to avoid buying "take off" sway bars? Seller is claiming they were taken off the car with only 50 miles on it.

unless the bars are damaged or they have high mileage (metal fatigue) I think used bars are fine but I would use the poly bushings
Mike

Jan 21, 2009 | 04:00 PM

Snowwolfe

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 8,473

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From: Alaska

Tried doing a search to find some DIY tips but couldnt find any showing photos.
Anyone have a link or two?

Jan 21, 2009 | 04:24 PM

mikeci

Racer

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 373

Likes: 2

From: White Plains NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowwolfe

Tried doing a search to find some DIY tips but couldnt find any showing photos.
Anyone have a link or two?

I think the problem is its so simple "a caveman can do it" you won't find any diy threads.
once you jack the car up and get the wheels off its just unbolt and bolt up. I did it w/ a bad back and a minimum of tools. the most expensive tool youll need is a torque wrench. to get the end links off youll need a set of torx sockets.
good luck
mike

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Jan 21, 2009 | 05:39 PM

Snowwolfe

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 8,473

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From: Alaska

Ok, was just kinda of taken back because I read a poster who just did it and is now having a knock coming from the rear of his car.

Jan 21, 2009 | 06:06 PM

#10

AORoads

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2005

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From: Northern, VA

St. Jude Donor '15

"In honor of jpee"

See C6 Gen, top of page, stickies, FAQ section, scroll down. And you'll see installs for various products.

Jan 21, 2009 | 06:18 PM

#11

mikeci

Racer

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 373

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From: White Plains NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowwolfe

Ok, was just kinda of taken back because I read a poster who just did it and is now having a knock coming from the rear of his car.

the knocking could be damaged end links or ungreased bushings or a million other reasons. the stiffer you make the car the more it is subject to outside temps. and lots of new noises. go figure
mike

Jan 21, 2009 | 07:05 PM

#12

RFP

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 1,283

Likes: 7

From: Hurst (Fort Worth area) Texas

St. Jude Donor '09

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowwolfe

When (IF!) my 09 coupe comes in I plan on tossing the factory sway bars and installing a Z51 set.

Is this an easy swap? Does it require any realignment after I swap them out?

Randy...

As long as you are going to the trouble, have you considered going 'all the way' and installing some good end links?

LG Motorsports has a great set...

http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...8f86d99540f9ac

Jan 21, 2009 | 07:31 PM

#13

mcwire

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 2,067

Likes: 1

From: --- N.E., Pa.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowwolfe

Ok, was just kinda of taken back because I read a poster who just did it and is now having a knock coming from the rear of his car.

There's a good chance, that the end links are not, completely, tightened. This happened, to me

Jan 21, 2009 | 07:37 PM

#14

Modshack

Safety Car

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 4,939

Likes: 448

From: CHOCOWINITY NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowwolfe

Ok, was just kinda of taken back because I read a poster who just did it and is now having a knock coming from the rear of his car.

If it didn't knock before and did after, I'd chalk that up to install error. It's just a Bar. Remove/replace. Simple. I picked mine up used for $100 shipped.
Well worth the (mimimal) effort. Install the Pfadt Poly bushings while you're doing this..

Jan 22, 2009 | 07:47 PM

#15

'VETTE PHASE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 2,167

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From: Powell TN

Cruise-In VIII Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcwire

There's a good chance, that the end links are not, completely, tightened.

With all those commas your sentence reads like Captain Kirk is saying it.

Jan 22, 2009 | 09:43 PM

#16

miami08VETTE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 2,902

Likes: 668

From: North Fulton Georgia

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowwolfe

When (IF!) my 09 coupe comes in I plan on tossing the factory sway bars and installing a Z51 set.

Is this an easy swap? Does it require any realignment after I swap them out?

The Hotchkis site has a pdf version of their bars install process. Download that and it will give you everything you need to know.

http://www.hotchkis.net/_uploaded_fi...383426file.pdf

Jan 23, 2009 | 01:28 AM

#17

Maui

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 8,824

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From: The left Coast

St. Jude Donor '08

Four bolts off and four bolts on. Very simple.

Jan 23, 2009 | 03:33 AM

#18

HuskerBullet

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,083

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From: Buena Park CA

I installed the Z06 sways on both the front and rear in about 30 minutes, peace of cake.

Jan 23, 2009 | 11:19 AM

#19

miami08VETTE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 2,902

Likes: 668

From: North Fulton Georgia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui

Four bolts off and four bolts on. Very simple.

Well not quite. You have the end links that require torx head sockets and it's a combo ratchet/wrench affair. If we over simplify the poor guy will get started only to find out he doesn't have all the tools he needs.

But you are correct in it being generally simple to do.