Rear lowering bolts
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 11
From: 59999 Posts
St. Jude Contributor
Rear lowering bolts
Has anyone ever cut the rear lowering bolts without removing any suspension components and installed the HardBar bolts? Was thinking of doing it this way, but need some tips from someone who had done it. Or can you remove the lower shock bolts and sway bar links to gain enough room to remove them.
It's cold outside and need something to do in the garage. Thanks for any help and suggestions.
It's cold outside and need something to do in the garage. Thanks for any help and suggestions.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 275
Likes: 4
From: Columbia Pa
I just did mine last week. You can change out the bolts just by removing the lower shock bolts and sway bar links as you say. It's a piece of cake, really. Do a google search, there is an awesome DIY write up out there to help you out if you need it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: 59999 Posts
St. Jude Contributor
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 940
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From: Long Island NY
Um, not so quick. Not sure what is meant by "drop" lower A-arm, if it is being unbolted or just pushed down. At least on my car, disconnecting the shock and sway bar from the lower A-arm did NOT allow things to drop enough to get a stock bolt out, even with compressing the spring up as much as possible. I had to disconnect the UPPER A-arm at the frame. That allows the lower A-arm to drop enough to get the lowering bolt out. I would not mess with the two bolts that mount the lower A-arm to the cross member since these are eccentric for adjusting the alignment.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 83
From: Arkansas
Technically, you can cut the oem bolts and thread them out (there is enough clearance) but you will NOT be able to put new bolts in without disassembling the suspension. You will have to unbolt the lower shock mount, seperate the spindle from the lower control arm to allow enough clearance to put the new bolt in. The spring will not flex enough to allow installing new bolts without disassembly. You do not have to unbolt the control arm from the crossmember.
FWIW: I just lowered my car to full low on the stock bolts. It's too much hassle to replace the bolts.
FWIW: I just lowered my car to full low on the stock bolts. It's too much hassle to replace the bolts.
Last edited by Speedforhire; Dec 31, 2013 at 11:40 PM. Reason: ...........typos!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
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From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Technically, you can cut the oem bolts and thread them out (there is enough clearance) but you will NOT be able to put new bolts in without disassembling the suspension. You will have to unbolt the lower shock mount, seperate the spindle from the lower control arm to allow enough clearance to put the new bolt in. The spring will not flex enough to allow installing new bolts without disassembly. You do not have to unbolt the control arm from the crossmember.
FWIW: I just lowered my car to full low on the stock bolts. It's too much hassle to replace the bolts.
FWIW: I just lowered my car to full low on the stock bolts. It's too much hassle to replace the bolts.
The Hardbar bolts can be installed without disassembling the suspension. They use a stainless bolt from the top and a delrin wear pad that screws on from the bottom.
The hard part is getting the old bolts out, you could screw them all the way down (max ride height) cut the head\wearpad off and then screw the bolt out the top.
