Rear Sway Bar Conversion Installation Questions

[Arnie]

Ok First of I know there are other area for this subject. Seconds of all, most of them are unfinished or unanswered and are in the 4G63 area, so I would prefer to keep it here if that matters. Third of all I have searched the site as well as 2GNT.


Ok first, I wanna do a RSBC for my RS. I am going to go to the junkyard an pull the conversion this weekend.

Secondly I am looking up the energy suspenion bushings, but cannot find a kit for 15mm OEM bushings? Energy Suspension 5.5146 Rear Sway Bar Bushings - 15mm I see this, but cannot find the brackets to go along with it. Do I actually need different brackets to make this work? or can I use the OEM brackets with the new bushing?



Links used for research: ( other links as well, but to many to post )

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/293463-rear-sway-bar-2g-rs-gs-gst-no-gsx.html

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/handling-tech/427085-rear-sway-bar.html

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/409987-rear-sway-bar-vs-front-rear.html

2GNT.com Forums - Viewing topic - rear sway bar parts

2GNT.com - Rear_Sway_Bar

2GNT.com - Rear_Sway_Bar_Install







I checked AutoZone and don't see a 15mm Bracket / bushing set for Energy Suspension.

Search: rear sway bar bushing | Sway Bar Bracket Bushing | AutoZone.com

 

[okm12346]

All OEM brackets for all models are the same just different size bushings. So the 15mm bar will have thicker bushing while the 18mm bar will have thinner bushing.

 

[Arnie]

All OEM brackets for all models are the same just different size bushings. So the 15mm bar will have thicker bushing while the 18mm bar will have thinner bushing.

Would a Aftermarket bushing ** energy suspension ** fit with it? or would I need the brackets for the energy suspension bushing to fit?

Yeah I know that all brackets are the same, i was just wondering something about aftermarket with oem fitting.

 

[okm12346]

I dont think someone would make 1aftermarket sway bar brackets to fit 15mm bar. Either way you have to get a spec sheet and see if the distance between the bolt holes is the same

 

[Arnie]

I dont think someone would make 1aftermarket sway bar brackets to fit 15mm bar. Either way you have to get a spec sheet and see if the distance between the bolt holes is the same

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/egs/9.5169R/image/4/

I was talking about this. Energy suspension has this bushing kit, but I can't find the brackets to go with the 15mm rear bushings. That is why I asked if the 15mm Bushings could go with the OEM brackets. ( let me know if I made sense I'm trying ... )


Or should I just do this

Go to the Yard pull the 1 sway bar, 2 brackets, 2 lower control, 2 links, 4 bolts/nuts, and buy some OEM buying so it just works and no worries?

or


Go to the Yard pull the 1 sway bar, 2 brackets, 2 lower control, 2 links, 4 bolts/nuts, and buy some rear energy suspension bushings and throw the old brackets on it?

 

[okm12346]

Second option is better. Autozone carries the energy suspension brand, or you can buy them from ebay or ES dealer

 

[Arnie]

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Pulled the Rear Sway Bar from a 95/96 RS at the junkyard. It was converted also it came with Energy bushings! ;D

1 Sway Bar, 2 D Links, 2 Lower Control arms, 4 nuts with washers, and 4 screws.

Paid $19.58 for all of that. It was half off at the junkyard and the lady was extremely busy to notice everything I guess? Oh well !!!

 

[Arnie]

Ignore

 

[okm12346]

I forget how exactly it is, but you can burn the rubber first and test the bushing. If it fits then leave it alone, if it doesnt then cut the sleve.

 

[kchaazz]

^^Indeed, never cut the sleeve out of any suspension component when installing poly bushings until you know whether or not the bushing is designed to go into the sleeve, or if the sleeve is to be removed. just clean out the sleeve with a wire wheel on an angle grinder and see if the bushing fits- it should fit tightly, usually requiring the use of a vise or press, but if the sleeve needs to be removed, it should be obvious...

 

[Arnie]

I cut the sleeve already. I ordered the Stock Bushings. The problem is the Lower control arm bushing doesn't want to go in.

I burned the rubber first. Then I cleaned it and got my Electric saw and removed the sleeve. It was a B**** at first, but after second try I managed to pop it off in like 2 min or so.








Tools used: Chisel, Eletic Saw from Harbor Freight, Torch + Propane Tank, Grease, Stock Rear Lower Control Arm bushings, A few hours of my life , 2,000 LBS Press bought from Harbor Freight, Flat head screw driver to remove old Rubber that was burnt, 2 Hammers one to hammer sleeve out and other sludge hammer to hit the chisel with force.

Area: My concrete floors + a towel to put under the control arm so I could hammer the chisel without damaging the Arm**

Started off Burning the Bushings.

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After Finished burning the Bushings Used the saw + Hammers + Chisel + Flathead.

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Old Bushings

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New Bushings

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Area and Towel:

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Grease and Press:

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Any Advice on helping me get the Bushings in?

 

[okm12346]

Ah you ordered OEM bushings!? All this time I was thinking you had Prothane bushings to replace the old ones. Well grease the outer sleeve, obtain a ratchet socket that has the same diameter as the sleeve and use it to press the bushing in.

 

[Arnie]

Ah you ordered OEM bushings!? All this time I was thinking you had Prothane bushings to replace the old ones. Well grease the outer sleeve, obtain a ratchet socket that has the same diameter as the sleeve and use it to press the bushing in.

Yeah OEM , I couldn't find a polly Bushing /:

I have Polly bushings for my rear suspension

I greased the outter sleeve and the Control Arm insert area with a decent amount so it could go in. I can get it to go in almost perfectly, but it won't insert completely.

 

[okm12346]

Well get another socket thats a bit smaller than the sleeve and try again

 

[Arnie]

Well get another socket thats a bit smaller than the sleeve and try again

I'll try that out. I was using a Long Screw that goes in the long sleeve to move it in. It worked somewhat, but couldn't get that last push. I will try again tomorrow.

 

[Arnie]

Thanks everyone for the help!!! I finally did my Conversion and installed new Lower Control Arm Bushings!

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Took out my RS Lower Control Arms and swapped them for a LCA with D link for the Sway bar set up! Also Energy Suspension Sway Bar Bushings / brackets