Hey so i searched n couldnt find anything on installing a FRONT sway bar... if anyone has done this please help out. so we had to take the cradle off to get the old one out and the new one in. and the bolts from the top arent ligning up.... i know this is vauge but if anyone has run into this problem or knows any tricks of the trade please help me out!

 

Google the install manual for a hotchkis install or email them for a digital copy. They might even have the manual available for download on their site. Very detailed. This will get you right through it no problem.

 

yea we have a hard copy of the instructions..... no help lol

 

which bolts dont line up? do you have a general location? I have done this about three times, oh what fun...

 

I've had the whole subframe dropped a few times for various things like motor mounts, sway bars, and a clutch. Please describe what you are having problems with because that instruction manual is perfect for the job IMO.

 

kinda obvious.. but why don't you just move the cradle back to where the holes do line up??

yes.. that might be the tricky part i would think.. but that is what you have to do.

 

Man the front sway bar is a pain. I was able to install it on a lift without removing the cradle, just dropping it with enough clearance. I deliberately did not take off the cradle, for fear it would not go back on properly. Funny, the rear sway took less than 30 mins, but the front sway took more than 4 hours.

Just recently I lubed up the bushings cuz they were squeaking... took an hour to R&I the mounts up front... 5 mins for the rears.

 

that is why i never bothered to install a front sway, even though i have one.

 

It's really not that hard guys, you are making it sound like a motor swap or clutch change. All you do is back off the bolts for the sub frame and support it so you can just lower it a few inches and everything is reachable with common hand tools. It took me about 2 hours maximum to do this including the rear.

The bolts that come from the top can be one a few things like your rack and pinion bolts but they can be moved and manipulated to go in properly along with the motor mount bolt which can also be spun when disconnected from the subframe. The two large studs on the outer edge of the subframe are the ones you need to be sure to line up correctly when re-installing the subframe because they cannot be moved or jiggled into place.

 

the two rear cradle bolts will not lign up, it seems like the enitre cradle needs to be brought towards he front of the car. which is the best way to align the cradle up?


Also the four bolts on the steering rack are supposed to come down through the cradle are not wanting to come down. they are staying above the cradle. WTF

 

Use jacks to support the cradle while you find whatever nut/bolt it is that seems to be holding you up. An extra hand wouldn't hurt either if you're doing this on the floor of your garage. Free up your subframe assembly completely if need be.

 

yea there are 2 of us. freeing up the sub frame would take alot of time. how beneficial would it be really?

 

If it means the difference between getting it back together or not, then extremely beneficial! All I can tell you without being there to see what's going on is to reverse order of dis-assembly.

 

yes we know WHAT to do! but we are just having trouble actually doing it!! we need to finish this in about 2-3 more hours! please someone help! or link to a good diy. id be happy to give out my number if someone would be nice enough to help out through the phone.

 

buuummmpppp

 

PM'd

 

k now help with motor mount anyone?