How To: Front Sway Bar Bushings
 

I always noticed that my new svx handled terribly compared to my old Green one, and always wondered why. I also have been experiancing some unknown clunking and banging in the front suspension. Today i had the suspension apart to replace the front right spindle/hub asy and noticed that my sway bar bushings were totally shot. I decided to execute a replacment right away while i had everything apart. I thought I would do a service and throw a how-to of the process on here. :)

First, Locate the sway bar bushing on your front suspension. Note that the hub assy is missing from my car since i already had it off for other reasons.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28061.jpg

Now, if you're in the northeast, like me, you'll want to give everything a healthy coating of PB Blaster or other penetrating lube.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28049.jpg

Now remove one of the two bolts holding the bushing retainer bracket in place.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28050.jpg

And the other...
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28051.jpg

Once the bolts are removed you'll need to pry the retainer bracket straight down with a screw driver or other small tool.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28052.jpg

You're now ready to install your new Sway Bar Bushing. Here is a comparison of what a bad bushing looks like as compared to a good example.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28054.jpg

Now it's time to install the new bushing. Place the new bushing around the sway bar.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28055.jpg

Now slide the retainer bracket over the bushing.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28056.jpg

Now, with the bracket fully in place, line up the mounting holes with the flange on the subframe.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28057.jpg

Next, reinstall the mounting bolts. This is the part where i wished i had 3 hands. You'll need to push pretty hard with one hand to get everything properly lined up.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28059.jpg

Your new bushing is now installed! Time to go tear up those twisties!!
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...5SVX/28060.jpg

Should've cleaned your oil leaks up while you were at it Mike ;) . I highly suggest doing the end links while your there as well! Definately worth it!

nice work i am going to do this once i get unlazy. i got my poly bushings on the counter begging to be installed.

Mike,
Stock bushings? :eek: .... Then again, I know you've got a few lying around :D
-Bill

Honestly Bill I found no difference between the stock ones that shot out from abuse and polys on the racer. I did however notice a HUGE dif when I replaced all the bushings on my XT6 with new stock rubber.

Ben,
Given the size of the stock bars, there might not be a big difference between new stock bushings and poly. I guessing, given the "marshmellow" durometer of the stock bushings, that there would be a noticeable difference over time (i.e. poly staying in one piece, stock tearing into multiple pieces....). Might be interesting to see what your stock bushings look like at the end of the season :eek: (then again, your springs are now so stiff that the sway bars may not be doing anything at all anyway..... :D )
-Bill

Bill-

I know i know, OEM is BAAADDDD, but this is all i had "on hand" at the shop ;)

Mike

Mike,
:D :D :D :D :D
-Bill

Good how to. I will get it into the How-To Locker when I have a chance. :)

im looking for a 18 mm grinding bit for my drill to drill out the 11/16 front bushings i got from summit to fit the 18mm sway. the closest grinding bit i found was 11/16 which is 17.5mm should i buy that and barely grind it out winging it. or dont drill out and have a very tight fit if they will fit. or is there such thing as a 18mm bit. chike drilled out his in his how to.

That should also be submitted to the SVXipedia.