Guys,

I am planning to install the sways myself. Do I need the collar? The car is my daily driver, so no track event here.

Btw, what is the lb/torque to tighten them?


Thanks in advance.

Tony

 

I don't know what exactly the "collar" is, but if you are referring to the polyurethane bushings that come with the hotchkis sways, yes you need those... just slip them around the sway bar and mound them to the clamps at the stock position, removing the stock bushings... don't know the torque specs.

Good luck with the install, hope you have an impact wrench.

 

I run the Hotchkis sway bars front and rear and do not use the collars. I have had no problems with them. In fact they work great and make a significant handling improvement in everyday driving. Keep the bushings well greased or they may squeak... otherwise enjoy yourself.

One thing to be careful of on the install. The 14mm bolts that hold the sway bar brackets to the frame rail were put in with an impact wrench at the factory and they are really tight. Be careful not to round off the corners on the bolts. I had to resort to heating a couple of them up to get them loose.

 

i believe he is referring not to the bushings but the metal colllars ppl have been putting to prevent shifting of the bar since the hotchkis do not have such "collars" built in like some other bars....
i just ordered my hotchkis bars and plan on installing them without the collars, then decide later if i need them

 

Here's the tread you all should read. Inside you'll not only find out how to order the collar's, but some info on why it's a good idea. Once you've read info, then decide where you stand. IMO, they should be installed

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....t=hotchkis+fix

 

Ive got the sways and I looked at them the other day and you can see the grease on the bar where they have shifted. I think it would be a good idea to invest in the collars.

 

Just ordered the collars, should be here tomm.

 

You shouldn't need an impact wrench, just use your normal socket wrench and slide 7/8" or 17-19mm box end over it for leverage. Good luck, the install is very straightforward and simple!

 

I put the collars on my sways and I have a popping sound everytime I stop, go and turn. I will be taking mine off.

 

i installed mine with the collars. i believe most of the other sway bars, including stock, are made so they dont move around, so i figured the hotchkis shouldn't either.

the install is really easy, and i had no problem getting any of the bolts off with hand tools.

 

Thank you Gsedan35!! You really helped me out in ordering these collars. I thought I wouldnt need them but after 1 month of the sways on my car, I was plagued with the curse of hotckis shifting. I get clunking sounds from all 4 tires from where my bushing is hitiing on the suspension now that it has slid a few inches. I just ordered the collars and hope this will fix my problem. BEN

 

bstansbu-
I'll add my .o2 to the pro-collars crowd. I ran mine for two months without them. I had a lot of "clunking" and thought I hadn't used enough lube when I did the install. I re-greased and it didn't change. Once I installed the McMasters collars, everything was tight. Definitely advise using them.

Bruce