Album Index for Album 0015: FM Sway Bar Install

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Size Caption

158593
Ramps are the way to go with a sway bar install. These are Harry's and will hold a tank, but it would be better if you bought something like Rhino Ramps. You don't want the wheels hanging in the air when you hook them up.

71362
Look under the car. The bad news is that you probably have a black plastic splashpan covering all this good stuff up. Take out all those bolts and pull the pan off to see the sway bar and the endlinks.

61977
Put a box end wrench on one side and a breaker bar on the other. Many people recommend loosening the lower endlink joint as well, but I didn't and the holes on the new bar lined up perfect.

107586
The bar can be rotated so the ends point downward. Take off the four bolts of the brackets that hold the bar on (you reuse the bolts).

62463
You push one end of the bar STRAIGHT UP, pushing hoses out of the way and pull it out the driver's side. Looks like it would be tough to do...is really a piece of cake. Mine had to come out the passenger side because of the intercooler tubing.

50703
Put the new FM bar up and push the endlink bolt through. I used the outermost hole on the front. (middle hole on rear) It seems to be very neutral this way. BTW I should mention here that the FM sways are EASY to do...I've heard horror stories about installing some other brands. Check the miataforum archives in the handling forum for details.

172858
Oh yeah! The "vile but effective" grease that Bill now calls "wonderful gooey grease" (political correctness I guess!), is awesome. BUT it is horribly sticky and not fun to put on. Get a bunch of paper towels ready.

125091
Here the bar is bolted up with the bushing greased and in place.

138327
Man that stock REAR sway bar looks like a coathanger!

189812
The rear bars have a bit of "toe" which means you have to get them the right way around. Easy enough to see in the next picture.

132417
See? Both bars take less than an hour to install. The performance increase is PHENOMENAL! I'd say my turbo was the most astonishing upgrade on my car. These FM sways are tied with the RE71 tires as the second most impressive increase in performance. Cornering is simply flat and the inside tire doesn't try to lift at all...GO BUY SOME!!! www.dlralt.com (I have no affiliation...well other than the fact that I should direct deposit part of my paycheck to their account! ;-) )

Size	Caption
158593	Ramps are the way to go with a sway bar install. These are Harry's and will hold a tank, but it would be better if you bought something like Rhino Ramps. You don't want the wheels hanging in the air when you hook them up.
71362	Look under the car. The bad news is that you probably have a black plastic splashpan covering all this good stuff up. Take out all those bolts and pull the pan off to see the sway bar and the endlinks.
61977	Put a box end wrench on one side and a breaker bar on the other. Many people recommend loosening the lower endlink joint as well, but I didn't and the holes on the new bar lined up perfect.
107586	The bar can be rotated so the ends point downward. Take off the four bolts of the brackets that hold the bar on (you reuse the bolts).
62463	You push one end of the bar STRAIGHT UP, pushing hoses out of the way and pull it out the driver's side. Looks like it would be tough to do...is really a piece of cake. Mine had to come out the passenger side because of the intercooler tubing.
50703	Put the new FM bar up and push the endlink bolt through. I used the outermost hole on the front. (middle hole on rear) It seems to be very neutral this way. BTW I should mention here that the FM sways are EASY to do...I've heard horror stories about installing some other brands. Check the miataforum archives in the handling forum for details.
172858	Oh yeah! The "vile but effective" grease that Bill now calls "wonderful gooey grease" (political correctness I guess!), is awesome. BUT it is horribly sticky and not fun to put on. Get a bunch of paper towels ready.
125091	Here the bar is bolted up with the bushing greased and in place.
138327	Man that stock REAR sway bar looks like a coathanger!
189812	The rear bars have a bit of "toe" which means you have to get them the right way around. Easy enough to see in the next picture.
132417	See? Both bars take less than an hour to install. The performance increase is PHENOMENAL! I'd say my turbo was the most astonishing upgrade on my car. These FM sways are tied with the RE71 tires as the second most impressive increase in performance. Cornering is simply flat and the inside tire doesn't try to lift at all...GO BUY SOME!!! www.dlralt.com (I have no affiliation...well other than the fact that I should direct deposit part of my paycheck to their account! ;-) )