Chas2

Has anyone performed a 2009 sway bar to 2005-2008 themselves? It seems relatively easy when I look at it, but I wonder about some simple things, which shows you how much (little) of a shade tree mechanic I am.

Do you do this with the suspension loaded or unloaded?

Should I put the car up on jackstands, remove the wheels and take things apart?

Or should I do this with the suspension loaded. I could put the rear of the car on ramps, and do it that way?

Any suggestions on a penetrant? I have liquid wrench...

The bushing bolts seem pretty clean, but the links are pretty rusty, likely from salt.

Thanks

sleepinxlionhart

I had mine installed when I installed the A-spec suspension. From what I've seen, you have to take off one side of the rear wheel, and pull the old sway bar out. You have to play around with it a little to get it across the top of the exhaust, but it shouldn't be too bad. Since my car was on a lift during the installation, I'll bet you would need to lift the car high enough to have ample working space. So no ramps because a wheel needs to come off.

lstevennl

ive taken the original sway bar on and off, id imagine its the same.its real simple and of course I had the suspension unloaded with both wheels off the ground. very simple task. good luck!

Chas2

Thanks very much, I was going to try it today, but the heat index is 104, a little too much for me. At least I know my approach!

Chas2

Tried to lift the car from the rear lift point, and apparently broke my jack as was trying to get it high enough for jack stands. My 2 ton Costco Arcan alumninum jack now only raises a couple of hundred pounds before giving up the ghost. I am a horrible mechanic!

I can actually see how to do the mod, the links and bushings are in plain sight and easy to get to. I just cannot even get past first base!

Jackzilla

Chas2,
Your jack isn't broken, just the (overpressure) relief valve. It's a spring loaded valve, in the hydraulic circuit, that's set to pop when the load on the jack exceeds its design capacity. Sounds like yours has (had?) a weak or defective spring for it to have popped lifting only the back half of the car -- most floor jacks have a capacity of 1-1/2 to 2 tons, normally plainly marked on the jack. You'll need an exploded view of the jack to see where the relief valve is located. Then you'll have to get a replacement spring and you'll be back in business. Note: in some instances the valve setting is adjustable by spring tension. If that's the case all you have to do increase the spring tension to raise the relief valve setting -- yours may just have slipped back to a lower setting. The fact that you can still lift some few hundred pounds indicates it's just a relief valve problem. Hope this helps.
Jack

Chas2

Thanks Jack. Will contact Arcan tomorrow. They are in SC, not made in China, so that is a good thing...I will probably get a real person that can help.

Ballinger

Wait. You bought your jack at Costco. Take it back there, and they'll swap you for a new one.

HondaV10

Hey Chas, any updates on your jack & anti sway-bar upgrade?

--Conrad

Chas2

Sorry, I cannot repair the jack. The mfg wants me to send it back. The exploded parts list does not detail the valve jackzilla spoke about. The lift cylinder is described as a single unit even though looking at it, you can see it has more than one piece to it.

I bought a 3.5 ton jack, but the heat indices have been and are expected to be 105+ so today is out of the question for me.

ktrulez

yeah make sure to give us updates chas.. it'll be greatly appreciated! especially if you can somehow do a picture DIY!

ichi d

will this mod be much of an improvement compared to stock? and will u actually feel the difference?

white05rl

yes, i think so. i did mine about a week ago and i believe it made a difference.

white05rl

just a quick update, i drove the car pretty hard today and i must say i was impressed. a few big sweeping curves onto the freeway, etc. i think my buddy (who has a 06 RL) riding with me was impressed, too.

get the new bar, i still say for $65 (delivered with bushings) is well worth it.

ichi d

at that price it sounds like its worth a try..... does anyone know what the stock size bar is vs the 09 size? thx

Chas2

19mm solid vs 17 mm solid

Chas2

whiterl05,

where did you place your jack stands? I could not get enough lift using the rear hook as a lifting point to place the jack stands under the rear reinforced lift points.

Thanks

white05rl

i used my floor jack under the lower control arm. it has a weird bump in it (towards the rear of the car) and i used that as the area that the jack contacted. once the wheel was off, i used one of my jack stands and lowered the floor jack. moved to the other side and left the floor jack in place. does that help?

white05rl

This picture may help -

white05rl

get out to mckinney Texas and i'll show you how easy this is less than 45mins.