rear subframe install question..

[Somchai]

Is it posible to install the rear subframe with the swaybars ( IE ) already in place ? My concern is that with the SB's attached it will be dificult to lower the swingarms enough to insert the coil springs.

Or do I have to fit the subframe first along with the coils/shocks and diff etc first ?

I don't have a lift on anythign fancy.. My rebuild is being done in my car port with only a couple of axle stands and a trolley jack.

[bnam]

I've not done this before on this car...

but, can you not leave the sway bar disconnected at the trailing arm end (but mounted at the subframe), hook up the subframe and then and hook the sway bar up last?

B

[AceAndrew]

I think it would be easier to have the swaybar installed on the subframe (but like what was said above, 'leave the endlinks separated', and then installing everything as a semi-completed assembly.

This would be especially beneficial for the installation of the rear sway bar pivot bushings which can be a royal PITA. Reason being the rear IE swaybar is obviously thicker, so that means the urethane bushing is thinner (to fit in the stock bracket). A thinner bushing means less 'squish'/'give' to help get everything going. The trick is to use longer 8mm bolts to get the bracket started and alternate to shorter ones as you tighten down.

It is my guess that the reason screws were used on the pivot bushing bracket from the factory is because the rear bar was put on after the subframe was on the car and the screws were easier to get the threads started.

[qdessa]

I would try to put the bar on first and leave the end links off. It was a pita the other way around.

But the end result either way is worth it!

[Somchai]

Thanks guys. That was pretty much as I thought. It's hard enough to fit the bar and get the saddles pulled down over the bushes when on the bench. So didn't want to struggle once the frame was on the car. I'll leave the end links loose as suggested and see how it goes..

Thanks

[M3M3]

in reality, it should not be hard to put the bar on the subframe. the problem is all the urethane bushings are too big for the bracket. when you have to use progressive length bolts to get the thing on, you are ending up with way too much pressure on the bushing and the bar. the swaybar should easily be able to rotate and slide side to side when mounted on the subframe. if it can't, it is acting as uncontrolled binder in the suspension which negatively affects handling. it should not be loose, but it needs to be able to move freely.

every set of urethane bar bushings i have used (front and rear) have needed significant cutting and shaving to allow the bar to move. the right solution would be for someone to make a bracket that is just a touch bigger. i don't know why, but nobody apparently does.

mod to rear ie bar bush, bottom ground off and one corner competely removed.

front needed washers to space the bushing away from the mounting block.

[mike472]

Ditto on installing the bars before you put the subframe in the car. The clamp or vise grips work well to get the IE poly bushing clamped down so you can start the bolts. So much easier outside the car. You can set the springs on the perches when you're getting it up close to the body. I cheated and used a fork truck from work. You can even attach the driveshaft if you don't feel like trying to struggle putting it up afterwards. I lifted the whole thing up in one piece very carefully by my lonesome.

[Somchai]

Thanks again for the info. I dry built the whole rear subframe assembly some weeks back and used longer bolts to pull the saddles down on the bushes. I was suprised to see how this caused the the bar to bind and prevent it from rotating. I'd planned to shim them out a way just as is shown on the front swaybar mount.

I'd toyed with the idea of mounting the diff/driveshafts as well and fitting the entire assembly as one. Don't think it is beyond me but was concerned about damaging my new paint or the powdercoat on my frames.. So will probably add the diff etc after. Will be sure to get the swaybars setup correctly first now..