is there a trick to installing the rear sway bar?

[jerry]

i reinstalled the oem rear sway bar on my project this afternoon and i had a heck of a time dealing with the metal brackets. i was able to install one side okay, but on the other side i can not get the bracket to seat properly in the slit that holds the bottom end in place. i can't get a C-clamp to stay in place to coax it into position.

i'm now wishing i had installed this while the subframe was on the workbench...

[TJW]

If you can't get the bolts in because they seem to short, use a couple of long bolts, draw them down and progressively go to shorter bolts.

[76duece]

Yeah, definetly use the longer bolt method, and have you tried lots of lube? silicone spray helps that stuff seat together better.

[jerry]

what baffled me was that i was reusing the rubber inserts so i thought they'd be already preformed. my difficulty was not getting the bolts installed but rather the lip at the bottom fully seated within the slit. i don't understand it. seems so straight-forward, which is why i didn't install it beforehand. i'll know next time.

[Armond]

Jerry, you may need an extra pair of hands. Just got mine done with ease but had to use a wedge to hold the bar in place while seating one side in it's place. I can swing by. Just let me know.

AP

[Bill_Riblett]

I've used Vise-grip pliers to clamp them in place. If there isn't access for the Vise-Grips, then start with a longer bolt as others have mentioned.