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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. 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. Now remove one of the two bolts holding the bushing retainer bracket in place. And the other... Once the bolts are removed you'll need to pry the retainer bracket straight down with a screw driver or other small tool. 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. |
#2
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Now it's time to install the new bushing. Place the new bushing around the sway bar.
Now slide the retainer bracket over the bushing. Now, with the bracket fully in place, line up the mounting holes with the flange on the subframe. 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. Your new bushing is now installed! Time to go tear up those twisties!! |
#3
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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!
__________________
British vehicles are my last ditch attempt to keep the nasty Italian thoughts in my mind at bay. So far its working. |
#4
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nice work i am going to do this once i get unlazy. i got my poly bushings on the counter begging to be installed.
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#5
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Mike,
Stock bushings? .... Then again, I know you've got a few lying around -Bill
__________________
Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023 Center Network Member #989 '92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33 '92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension '92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place) My Locker |
#6
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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.
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British vehicles are my last ditch attempt to keep the nasty Italian thoughts in my mind at bay. So far its working. |
#7
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Quote:
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 (then again, your springs are now so stiff that the sway bars may not be doing anything at all anyway..... ) -Bill
__________________
Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023 Center Network Member #989 '92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33 '92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension '92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place) My Locker |
#8
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Bill-
I know i know, OEM is BAAADDDD, but this is all i had "on hand" at the shop Mike |
#9
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Mike,
-Bill
__________________
Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023 Center Network Member #989 '92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33 '92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension '92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place) My Locker |
#10
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Good how to. I will get it into the How-To Locker when I have a chance.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#11
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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.
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#12
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That should also be submitted to the SVXipedia.
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David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
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