A qusestion regarding sway bars.

CheyneX5 · Postby **CheyneX5** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:01 am

Hi All,

I recently installed a set of adjustable FM sway bars, we had the car on a hoist and installed them with relative ease. I did notice though that there were set instructions in the packaging when i got home. They said the following:

IMPORTANT—(‘90-’97 only)Weight of the vehicle must be on the wheels when torquing the end
links. If you’re on ramps, you’re set. If you’re working on a lift or jack-stands, wait until the car is back on
the ground to torque these bolts. '99-'05 cars don't need to have the weight of the car on the wheels.
The sway bar brackets get torqued to 20 ft/lbs, and it doesn’t matter whether the wheels are on the
ground or not for these bolts. Reinstall the ABS plates and plastic splash pan and you’re ready for the
rears.

Is this really that important? The car feels ok, however.. im not sure if this is just me but the car seems to feel lighter on right hand turns rather than left hand turns, which i assume is the end links not being torqued properly... I hope i have not just answered my own question?

Thanks,

Cheyne

tbro · Postby **tbro** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 2:22 pm

Are you using the std endlinks? if so you will need to loosen off both ends and bounce car and then retighten with car settled.

If your using aftermarket end links then its not a problem.

As for does this make a difference I doubt you would feel it but who knows you may have a sensitive fingers :lol:

Terry

CheyneX5 · Postby **CheyneX5** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 4:59 pm

Well... I do have sensitive skin

In answer to your question though, I am using standard end links. I will give it a go and post back with the outcome

Thanks Terry.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 12:30 pm

I've all ways just tightened the end links with the car off the ground. I have not had any issues in the past 6 years. I have 1x sway bar installed, 3x sets of coilovers installed, 2x end endlinks installed, and never broken or had problems.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:43 pm

yeah, I think it's more to reduce them shifting slightly, same as with wheel nuts you re-tighten after a few km.

also, Pam's car has had the swaybar endlinks on and off that many times, always on the stands.

it drives fine, and hasn't have any issues.

mxfive95 · Postby **mxfive95** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:15 pm

I think its prob more to do with damage to the bushes on the links caused when the car is lowered back down to the ground. The bush in the link has a metal sleeve which is tightened to the swaybay on one end and the suspention arm link on the other, so if it is tightened while off the ground the bush will have no strain but when the car is lowered the bush will twist slightly causing undue strain.
Does this make any sense? Its very hard to explain without a pic... Mind you I could be completely wrong about this but thats the only explanation i can think of...

Craig. :NA8:

CheyneX5 · Postby **CheyneX5** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 7:00 pm

hks_kansei wrote:yeah, I think it's more to reduce them shifting slightly, same as with wheel nuts you re-tighten after a few km.

also, Pam's car has had the swaybar endlinks on and off that many times, always on the stands.

it drives fine, and hasn't have any issues.

I think your right about the shifting Nik, thats kind of what it feels like... The steering was very, very sharp and responsive on the day i installed them, however, most of the time, the steering feels loose and i need to turn the wheel a little more than normal... Occasionally it will feel like there is nothing wrong at all...

mxfive95 wrote:I think its prob more to do with damage to the bushes on the links caused when the car is lowered back down to the ground. The bush in the link has a metal sleeve which is tightened to the swaybay on one end and the suspention arm link on the other, so if it is tightened while off the ground the bush will have no strain but when the car is lowered the bush will twist slightly causing undue strain.
Does this make any sense? Its very hard to explain without a pic... Mind you I could be completely wrong about this but thats the only explanation i can think of...

Craig.

I understand what your trying to get across Craig, I am going to try loosening them off in the next few days and retightening to see how much it really does... I don't want to have to go out and buy new end links...

Anyone else got any ideas?

CheyneX5 · Postby **CheyneX5** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 8:39 pm

I wrote an email to Flyin' Miata this morning, i got this as a response.

Hi Cheyne,
I would suggest taking a look at the swaybar end link bushings. If they
were tightened with the wheels hanging, there is a good chance the
rubber has ripped now. If they are still good, loosen the end links,
bounce it a couple of times and retighten. Have a great Christmas! And
thanks for your business.

I would agree that the bushes have probably torn a little..