endlink/bushing messed up (pic inside)

[dmw319]

ok. i think i have the tension right... its just that the sway bar isnt sitting evenly on top of the bushings.

[zlexiss]

You want to tighten sway bar end links with the weight on the tires - that way everything lines up properly. If the wheels aren't even with each other or are hanging freely, the bar will be loaded or not level.

Get and use a torque wrench. Even the $20 ones from Harbor Freight. Bob's right, though in this case you're not stretching the bolts at all, but squishing the poly bushings the proper amount.

[dmw319]

can someone explain the basic idea of a torque wrench? does it stop at a certain tightness or have a gauge or something? also, i oiled/greased the heck out of my bushings and they still squeak over big bumps. any ideas?

[V6Bob]

"can someone explain the basic idea of a torque wrench? does it stop at a certain tightness or have a gauge or something?"

Inexpensive ones have a guage. More expensive ones let you know when you're at a torque that you set on a dial by clicking and letting the wrench jump freely a little bit. Really expensive ones beep electronically.

http://home.jtan.com/~joe/KIAT/kiat_3.htm

If you're going to be tightening critical bolts on your car, maybe replacing them, you really should use a torque wrench, and know more about how bolts work and proper tightening, than these brief posts can say.

http://home.jtan.com/~joe/KIAT/kiat_1.htm

is a good start.

[ October 07, 2005, 01:06 AM: Message edited by: V6Bob ]

[dmw319]

thanks that helps a lot. i never knew how much went into just bolts and wrenches lol.

[andrew.brandon]

Originally posted by zlexiss:
You want to tighten sway bar end links with the weight on the tires - that way everything lines up properly. If the wheels aren't even with each other or are hanging freely, the bar will be loaded or not level.

how do you do that? f-bodies are not known for their ground clearance, much less one's that have been lowered.

[V6Bob]

"how do you do that? f-bodies are not known for their ground clearance, much less one's that have been lowered."

Ideally with a professional working with a lift or a pit. Ramps are an alternative which is available, but which has some risk of personal injury. If you use ramps they must be appropriately sturdy, in excellent condition, and used properly. Even then, I'm always nervous working under the car.

[dmw319]

yea my ramps arent so great because of my wide tires. i think ill just get some jack stands and a lift.

[zlexiss]

I put my car on Rhino Ramps and did the install from under the car.

DMW: over here at Raytheon we have a 2 hour course titled "advanced fastener installation"

[dmw319]

ok wow. im an idiot. its hard to tell from the picture. but when i installed the new sway bar.. i installed it upside down!!!!!!!! so it was pushing against my differential cover, and thats why it didnt line up. i fixed it and used a torque wrench. everything is perfect now. thanks for your help guys. haha.

you guys-> [img]graemlins/twak.gif[/img] <- me