HOW2: Install Cusco Sway Bars w/pics (of course)

[My350z.com]

before i start, i must say this is a very easy mod to do, just because you get under your car doesn't mean the work is going to be hard.

time required:

~1 hour


tools/material required:



sway bars
small screw driver
socket wrench
10mm socket
17mm socket
14mm socket
automotive grease
cordless drill (optional, speeds up install)


rear



1.) Jack up the rear of the car and place it on stands or you can use a ramp. The ramp is quick, but you have to be careful and not overshoot the end. I recommend having a spotter when using ramps.

2.) Remove 2 plastic covers. There is one on each side of the rear right under the rear sway bar. There are three 10mm nuts holding the cover up on each side.



3.) Remove two 14mm nuts at the ends of the sway bar. (1 at each end)



4.) Remove four 14mm nuts holding up the rear sway bar, two on each side. (2 at each bushing)



5.) Remove the sway bar by pressing the bolts out of the ends with your fingers. They come out easily.



6.) Remove the factory bushings by sliding them out of the sway bar. The should come out easily, if not use some grease.



7.) Insert the factory bushings into your new sway bar, again it should go in easily, if not use grease. Some people decide to use grease on the new bars anyways, since they believe it reduces noise or squeaking.



8.) Insert your new sways into the end links.



9.) Tighten the four 14mm nuts holding up the sway bar. (2 at each bushing)

10.) Tighten the two 14mm nuts at the ends. (1 at each end)

11.) Reinstall the two small plastic covers held in by the six 10mm nuts. (3 each side)

front



1.) Jack up the front of the car and place it on stands or you can use a ramp. The ramp is quick, but you have to be careful and not overshoot the end. I recommend having a spotter when using ramps.

2.) Remove the big plastic cover under the front of the car by removing ten 10mm screws and a plastic push clip in the middle with the small screwdriver.

3.) Remove a smaller plastic cover on the left side held in by three plastic clips, use the small screwdriver.



4.) Remove two 17mm nuts at the ends of the front sway bar. (1 at each end)



5.) Remove eight 14mm nuts holding up the sway bar at the bushings. (4 each side)



6.) Remove the sway bar by pushing out the end bolts with your fingers, they should come out easily.

7.) Remove the factory bushings by sliding them out of the sway bar. The should come out easily, if not use some grease.



8.) Insert the factory bushings into your new sway bar, again it should go in easily, if not use grease. Some people decide to use grease on the new bars anyways, since they believe it reduces noise or squeaking.



9.) Insert your new sways into the end links.



10.) Tighten the eight 14mm nuts holding up the sway bar. (4 at each bushing)



11.) Tighten the two 17mm nuts at the ends. (1 at each end)

12.) Reinstall the small pastic cover held in by the three plastic clips.

13.) Reinstall the large plastic cover with ten 10mm screws and one push clip in the middle.

LASTLY, GO OUT AND DRIVE!!

I hope you found this guide useful, if you have any suggestions or comments please let me know.

Victor

[Gsedan35]

Well, now the board that two detailed how to install sway bars threads with pics, the other one was on the EVO bars. Glad to see you posted this however, always nice to see members willing to go the extra mile to help other's.

Mike once you've put some miles on the setup please do a review post to shair your thoughts on how they perform for you.

[My350z.com]

will do!

[jor8888]

Forgive me I am a noob, whats is the diff between the factory one and the new one u just installed? from the pics they look identical.

[My350z.com]

the new ones have a larger diameter and it is solid.

[DavesZ#3]

Sorry everyone, the pictures are gone.

[windydog]

Question, my front sway bar nuts keep coming loose on me, i locktite them down. Has anyone else had this issue. Love the bars!

[erickim080387]

no pictures.... no help

[350Zenophile]

need pics!

[UC Da Z]

The 14mm bolts are really hard to take off. Any suggestions on getting them off?

[guitman32]

Originally Posted by UC Da Z

The 14mm bolts are really hard to take off. Any suggestions on getting them off?

They are on there mighty tight. First get some PB Blaster from Walmart or your local auto store. Soak the bolts and tap them lightly with a hammer (to allow deeper penetration of the Blaster). Re-spray and let them penetrate for 30mins. Make sure you are using 1/2in drive, 6-pt sockets on these bolts, as they are easy to strip. Your best bet is to try and fit a breaker bar somewhere in that space (between the car and the ground - can be difficult if you are using ramps or jack stands) with either a long socket or a short extension. This should allow you to get enough torque to free the bolts. I could not get them free with a regular 1/2in wrench...breaker bar or similar is the way to go.

[sccr762]

pics?

[Revsport]

I need the pics for next week plz

[6894kevin]

WTF
Why did the pic's get snatched??

[Takhteh]

Originally Posted by 6894kevin

WTF
Why did the pic's get snatched??

+1 Where are the PICS??

[DieselX]

oh... my ... GOD !!!

taking off the sway bar is... ridiculous. I've spent an hour already, trying to get it off. The bolts are nothing, it just won't come out of there, something is always in the sway. I even unbolted the camber arms... we'll see how it goes, I'm so pissed off.

[Scarab440]

heh. changed out my front bar today in 20 mins.
we had the bumper cover off allready though..

trick was putting a torch to the nut on the endlinks. if we didn't we would have still been under there.

[plumpzz]

The sway bars aren't hard. Just take off the rear section of ur exhaust. The front is a little harder, but not by much.. What kind of exhaust do you have?

The nuts are hard to take off, but the best way is to use the pipe that came with ur jack to torque it a little more.

[NA&CH]

Where does everyone have the front set at. Front or back hole?

[plumpzz]

The tight one (the inside hole). I might switch to the softer hole during the summer unless i have too much understeer.