On Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:39:54 -0400, Ph@Boy wrote:
> Hachiroku ハチ*ク wrote:
>> OK. So I replaced the sway bar bushings in the front last week. I liked
>> the increase handling so much (that, plus the @$$ end felt 'saggy'.)that
>> I replaced the rears yesterday.
>>
>> http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/endl.html
>>
>> (middle of the page, "red" bushing set)
>>
>> The Haynes manual said when replacing the bushings, to tighten the nut
>> so that 1" of the end link was showing and lock it.
>>
>> This put a LOT of 'preload' on the bushings; they are about 1/3 larger
>> than stock, and I had to 'compress' them for a couple hours before I
>> could get the last bushing on (I had to lock that one in a vice to
>> compress it enough to fit...)
>>
>> They are SO tight they look like little donuts.
>>
>> I'm wondering if this is *TOO* much compression, to the point that any
>> gains are lost...? The steering feel is pretty good, and conering is
>> great...
>>
> I have never had to pre-compress bushings for installation Hachi. Are you
> sure the assembly is correct? The links attach to the cross bar on one end
> and to the rear suspension arms on the other. Did they mean 1" of the
> cross bar and not the links?
They meant one inch of threads showing on the rod that connects the lower
control arm to the sway bar. I wasn't even able to get one inch of threads
showing on the rears.
Like I said, they were about 1/3 larger (length) than the (worn) bushings
that came out. The fronts were TOUGH! I had to leave them for two hours in
90 degree heat before I could get the nuts on. Without compressing them,
you could only see the top of the rod through the topmost bushing.
The rears were much easier; may have been a different set.