Help with Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars - Front / Rear Install:

I'm planning to purchase the Hotchkis Sport Front and Rear Sway Bar Set (SKU:22429) in a couple of weeks. Since I installed my Tanabe NF210 springs myself, I feel comfortable to say that the rear sway bar should be easy to do. I'm a little concerned about how difficult the upgraded front sway bar install is.

What are the chances of throwing off the alignment after the front sway bar install?
I would hate to have to shell out another $80 for an alignment that I just did about a month ago after I did the lowered springs.

Any special tools needed for the front sway bar install?

Is removing the front wheels/tires required?

Any info and insight that you can share would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

Removal of wheels is required. As far as special tools, I suggest using a torque wrench to torque your lower control arm bolt to proper specs after reinstallation.
I'm not 100% sure if you need to remove the struts, but I don't think you do. I installed my springs and sways at the same time, so everything was clear. Only reason it would throw off alignment is if you loosened up the bolts on the bottom of the struts.
Hotchkis provides vague instructions, but they work.

 

I removed the stock bar and installed the Hotchkis bar without removing any wheels. The instructions never mentioned removing either, so I just did it that way. In hindsight, it would have made it easier due to the lower weight of the control arm assembly, but it's not necessary. The hardes part is twisting/turning the bars so they slide out and in. It's like one of those metal puzzles.

Just keep trying different things and eventually you'll get it.

Hope this helps!

 

I just did mine, it not nessasary to remove the wheel but it helps. ***instuctions in hand***
1)raise vehicle and support with jack stands, block rear wheels.
2)remove small splash shield and note orientation of sway bar and bushings
3)remove endlink nuts that attach to the sway bar and push them aside
4)remove bolts that hold sway bar bushing plate to subframe then remove bushings
5)remove 2 nuts and 1 bolt that attach the passenger side lower control are to the ball joint. do this only for the passenger side.
6)remove front position lower control arm bold and loosen the rear position bolt
7) remove swaybar without bashing yourself in the face!!
Install new bar in reverse order making sure to lube up the bushing with supplied grease, make sure you are installing the bushings are correctly seated in subframe.
do not tighten lower control bolts all the way untill vehicle is at ride hieght(yeah right) 140 ft lbs and let it down.
9) reinstall all part in reverse order to the way they came out.
10) test for noises and creaks... double check all nuts and bolts.
11) enjoy!

I wish I kept the tools list but I threw it out with the rest of the packing. its not hard but i would recommend having a friend help, it just makes it easier.

hope this helps

 

^^ That's probably the most helpful tip of all!!! LOL

^^ Would you recommend lowing the vehicle on ramps when tightening lower control bolts??? My car is lowered so I can't even fit my fat head under the car when it's back down on the ground.


^^ Yes. This was very helpful to me. Thank you very much redline8k!!!!

What is your ride impression after the Hotchkis install?

 

Yes the ramps would help but I would drive the car up on the ramps after doing the install. this way you can still use jackstands to protect yourself.

driving impressions: Im on bags and have 20s so it took alot of the slop out of turning, now the car has some great response. I havent really pushed it all that hardbut you will def. like the outcome.
-nick

 

Great idea! Safety First.

I can't wait to get them installed!!! Thanks.

 

Installed front and rear myself with no problems. Hotchkis web site has picture instructions that are preety good. Also come with the kit. Rear was easy, front a little more challenging to get stock one out. Wheels off yes, just did it even though insturctions said nothing. As noted no alighnment needed after install. You will nitice a big improvement

 

This is a lie. You can't appreciate the install without hitting yourself in the damn face.

 

^^ I cut myself enough working on other peoples stuff. so a day without blood working on myown is worth it.!!

 

UPDATE:

The install went VERY smoothly. Thanks for your help and input guys. I didn't get to drive around yet so I can't give any "feel" feedback yet.

The rear bar was very easy to do. I did notice that the bushings did not have the zerk grease fitting drilled out. I had to drill it myself. Not a big problem though.

The front install was a more difficult. I had a heck of a time trying to get those huge bolts loose on the control arm passenger side. Once the huge control arm bolt was out, it was very easy after that. Removing the passenger side front tire makes it so much easier to do. That is the only wheel I removed for this install.

The paper instructions are very vague and too basic. The black-n-white pics on the instructions were too tiny. I also had a difficult time figuring out how the bushings for the front bar were supported go on. After studying the subframe, bushing plate, and bushing for a few minutes, I figured it out.

Oyeah........ one more thing. Have a buddy to help you out when installing the bars. The help makes things a lot easier.

Thanks again!

 

Did you need an alignment after installing the front sways?

 

Alignment not needed.