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Alright guys. I've been trying to "finish" my car this weekend. I got a bunch of things replaced and done. Right now I need help with taking out the front sway bar.
I already lowered the front subframe. I removed the back 4 bolts. I also removed the 2 middle bolts. I loosened the front 4 bolts. I can only lower the subframe about 2-3inches in the back. I was able to unhook the endlinks as well as the 4 mounting screws. Brackets and bushings are out. The sway bar is just hanging with nothing attaching it. I dont have enough room to take it out.
In the pictures you can see the front is on ramps. I did try to lift the whole car and remove the ramps to let the suspension hang. It actually made it worse. Subframe gap got smaller.
Any ideas??? I need to try to take it out tomorrow and install the Type-S tomorrow. Remember, I cant just cut it because then how do i get the other one out?
- Stock bushings, S2000 27.2mm bushings and Energy 27mm bushings. One better work.
It won't go anywhere. I need maybe 2" to clear one side and get it going. I tried forcing it down but obviously was trying to be very careful not to mess anything up.
I found a newer civic front sway bar installation. he said something about the steering. Im going to check it out today and see.
Anyone else got any ideas? What if I hook up the end links and drive the car to the alignment shop like that? What would be the price to install it?
Update: Incase someone finds this post later trying to do the same thing.
I couldn't get it out. If I could get 2more inches. I'm sure I could have taken it out.
I made an appointment with my alignment guy. Very honest mechanic. He is going to install my sway bar for $65. Very good price. Forget doing it yourself. Plus he will wareanty my alignment from a few months back. So I'm golden.
Can't remember exactly how me and a buddy got it out, but did the same as you (lowering of rear of subframe). Took a bunch of twisting and what not, but finally got it.
Also, remember end link connections to car are slightly larger than stock endlinks. If I remember correctly 12mm vs 10mm. Don't quote me on that tho, it's been a few years since installation. Would have to search through records, if I wrote it down!
Everything seems simple enough. But maybe I missed something? The subframe wouldn't lower enough to even get the bar started. That's what I'm curious about.
My buddy had more knowledge than me, we were messin with it for an hour or so at 8:30pm at night. Finally bam out it came, I just don't remember what motion was used, as I was on one side while he was on the other. Sorry, wish had a better memory! LOFL!
I do remember we used a pry bar!
if ya don't mind, check both endlink sizes. I remember having to drill out the lower control arm for new endlinks (type-s), just can't remember size difference.
No one said anything about end links. I didn't buy new end links. I guess I'll find out in a few hours when my alignment guy starts to do the swap.
At this point. I just want it done and have the car back. Lol. I'll let you know what happens. I just wanted to post everything I could for people thinking of doing it. No one seems to know all the details.
I think I've read every thread. Even the accord ones. A ton of accord people do it. But I guess their subframe likes to play nice with them. The TL doesn't.
fingers crossed my guy can do it without problems. I'll find out in about 6hrs.
'07-'08 base I believe are same as '04+ Base, only type-s are different. I could be wrong, but it would be easy to check if a 10mm bolt fits in type-s bar. Just Tryin to possibly save a headache. Like I said before, it's been a # of years........
I finally got the car back from the alignment shop. I'll take pictures tomorrow since it's too dark now.
I ended up with the 2008 Type S front sway bar.
Energy Suspension 27mm universal bushings/brackets.
I ended up paying $102 for the front swap.
Nothing had to be done with the end links.
The alignment guy said he would pay anyone to show him how to do this with jack stands. He said it's impossible. he had to drop the exhaust and basically completely drop the subframe. Disconnecting the rack and everything.
Last edited by WaterBottle1; 11-18-2016 at 10:26 PM.
this guy in the video swapped out the Rack & Pinion, which looks harder than the swaybar, and he did not completely remove the subframe, but did lower it a lot on the back end. I dont think he removed the exhaust..
Finally. A video that shows everything.
what I missed was the engine mounts and pry bar that he talks about half way. You would probably still have to drop the exhaust half way to make it easier.
I've had this done and my mechanic only had to drop the subframe a little bit. He said nothing else was required and it really wasn't that bad of a job.
As far as I knew, when you put the type s sway bar onto the base TL the control arms needed to be bored out to 12mm like what Dark Tower was saying
Who knows. I really don't know exactly how much work he really did. I just know he said somethinf about the steering rack.
Anyways. I have a 2008. If you look up the end links for the auto and type s. It's the same part number. No need to bore out anything.
it looks like it's only for the 2004-2006 models that the end links need to be redone. Those part numbers are different.
11-12-2016, 09:40 PM
