Suspension Alta 22mm Sway Bar install + pictures + impressions
#1
Alta 22mm Sway Bar install + pictures + impressions
Hello Folks
Just finished installing the Alta 22MM sway bar. The install is not difficult but you do need some time, basic tools and some mechanical knowledge.
The Alta directions are easy to follow. You have to remove the coils or in our case the coil overs and also have to loosen the sub frame to remove and install the new sway bar.
We did ours on our shop lift, I think any other way would take much more time. I got it done in about 1 hour or so.
My first impressions are it was worth every penny I spend. The rear feels much more planted and turn in feels crisp. I haven't really taken it on a rough road but I pretty know what to expect. The other thing I noticed is the TQ feels less!!!!!! That would be a good thing since it is one of my biggest complaints.
Anyway well worth the moeny spent and I will follow up with more impressions this weekend.
Getting Ready to take it apart
Everything is loose and out with the old
A look at the sub frame loose..You have to do this to get the sway bar out. You can see the bracket that hold the sub frame to the body, that gap is where the bar goes thru to come out.
In with the New sway bar
Center the bar and tighten up the clamps
I put the setting in the middle to start
Install the coil overs and tighten everything up...I go over all the bolts at least two times.
A little clean up.......
Wax the wheels and torque the lug nuts...and your done
Just finished installing the Alta 22MM sway bar. The install is not difficult but you do need some time, basic tools and some mechanical knowledge.
The Alta directions are easy to follow. You have to remove the coils or in our case the coil overs and also have to loosen the sub frame to remove and install the new sway bar.
We did ours on our shop lift, I think any other way would take much more time. I got it done in about 1 hour or so.
My first impressions are it was worth every penny I spend. The rear feels much more planted and turn in feels crisp. I haven't really taken it on a rough road but I pretty know what to expect. The other thing I noticed is the TQ feels less!!!!!! That would be a good thing since it is one of my biggest complaints.
Anyway well worth the moeny spent and I will follow up with more impressions this weekend.
Getting Ready to take it apart
Everything is loose and out with the old
A look at the sub frame loose..You have to do this to get the sway bar out. You can see the bracket that hold the sub frame to the body, that gap is where the bar goes thru to come out.
In with the New sway bar
Center the bar and tighten up the clamps
I put the setting in the middle to start
Install the coil overs and tighten everything up...I go over all the bolts at least two times.
A little clean up.......
Wax the wheels and torque the lug nuts...and your done
#2
Had a 22mm sway bar installed on the Shortbus yesterday as well along with a set of H&R springs. A few DMC members pitched in knocked the job out (thanks guys!) while I basically learned and supervised. The difference is unbelievable and as you stated worth every penny. With the sportier stance, quicker turning capability and the waning willpower not to abuse it, I can see I will be in the market for a new set of tires in short order.
With all the extra help the whole job took about 1.5 hours using jack stands.
With all the extra help the whole job took about 1.5 hours using jack stands.
#4
Had a 22mm sway bar installed on the Shortbus yesterday as well along with a set of H&R springs. A few DMC members pitched in knocked the job out (thanks guys!) while I basically learned and supervised. The difference is unbelievable and as you stated worth every penny. With the sportier stance, quicker turning capability and the waning willpower not to abuse it, I can see I will be in the market for a new set of tires in short order.
With all the extra help the whole job took about 1.5 hours using jack stands.
With all the extra help the whole job took about 1.5 hours using jack stands.
#5
Just a quick follow up...went for a pretty good ride today. Went thru some nice twisties and I have to say that I am impressed with the turn in and also the way the rear just feels solid, I no longer feel that the rear want to break loose. And as far as TQ goes it it greatly reduced. I highly recomend this upgrade.
#6
Red Bull, thanks for the writeup! I'm definitely now leaning towards getting a RSW as torque steer is my biggest complaint on my JCW. The car is really squirely under hard acceleration. Anything to fix that is a win in my book.
Any reason why you chose 22mm over 19mm? Also, did you upgrade the rear control arms when you installed the coils? Thanks
Any reason why you chose 22mm over 19mm? Also, did you upgrade the rear control arms when you installed the coils? Thanks
#7
Red Bull, thanks for the writeup! I'm definitely now leaning towards getting a RSW as torque steer is my biggest complaint on my JCW. The car is really squirely under hard acceleration. Anything to fix that is a win in my book.
Any reason why you chose 22mm over 19mm? Also, did you upgrade the rear control arms when you installed the coils? Thanks
Any reason why you chose 22mm over 19mm? Also, did you upgrade the rear control arms when you installed the coils? Thanks
Control arms are next...the ones in there now are a joke IMO. As for the TQ...I really see an improvment...great mod and pretty cheap. Good bang for the buck
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...the way the rear just feels solid, I no longer feel that the rear want to break loose.
#19
I just finished doing it for my Clubby, albeit a 19mm instead of a 22. Did it 2 days ago in WI(sub zero degrees in a non heated garage). With no help and zero prior experience, it took me 5 hours. From 8 am to 1 pm. Well the first hour was trying to find a spot to place jack stands-which I still cannot find! I ended up doing it the unsafe way-no jack stands, just jack supporting them. The jack points-although a brilliant idea on theory, sucks in practicality. The groove only fits the jack that came with the Clubby and provides no other area to place jack stands(everywhere else is covered in plastic skirting).
If I had to redo it, it would take probably half the time since I know the exact sizes and placements of tools. :P Little note though, putting the subframe back on was a PITA. After it loosened, the subframe is pushed rearward and down, pushing it back into place to screw the bolts in was hard on just jacks(well that and I was afraid it would tip from too much jostling). I ended up using a screw driver and levering the holes in line.
As for performance- amazing. I feel less body roll and definitely a lot less understeer(the steering wheel isn't fighting me when turning). I placed it on the stiffest setting on 19 mm.
#20
I hope that you are not driving as if that premise were true, because putting in a stiffer sway bar makes the rear end Easier to break loose, not harder. That's why the car feels more willing to turn with the harder bar installed - you have reduced the Understeer, or viewed differently, increased Oversteer.
#22
I have a Twin Turbo Vette and its tail happy and has a race suspension...no matter what I am doing with that car I know exactly what it is going to do...a real confidence booster when your in a fast turn
#23
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I just finished doing it for my Clubby, albeit a 19mm instead of a 22. Did it 2 days ago in WI(sub zero degrees in a non heated garage). With no help and zero prior experience, it took me 5 hours. From 8 am to 1 pm. Well the first hour was trying to find a spot to place jack stands-which I still cannot find! I ended up doing it the unsafe way-no jack stands, just jack supporting them. The jack points-although a brilliant idea on theory, sucks in practicality. The groove only fits the jack that came with the Clubby and provides no other area to place jack stands(everywhere else is covered in plastic skirting).
If I had to redo it, it would take probably half the time since I know the exact sizes and placements of tools. :P Little note though, putting the subframe back on was a PITA. After it loosened, the subframe is pushed rearward and down, pushing it back into place to screw the bolts in was hard on just jacks(well that and I was afraid it would tip from too much jostling). I ended up using a screw driver and levering the holes in line.
As for performance- amazing. I feel less body roll and definitely a lot less understeer(the steering wheel isn't fighting me when turning). I placed it on the stiffest setting on 19 mm.
If I had to redo it, it would take probably half the time since I know the exact sizes and placements of tools. :P Little note though, putting the subframe back on was a PITA. After it loosened, the subframe is pushed rearward and down, pushing it back into place to screw the bolts in was hard on just jacks(well that and I was afraid it would tip from too much jostling). I ended up using a screw driver and levering the holes in line.
As for performance- amazing. I feel less body roll and definitely a lot less understeer(the steering wheel isn't fighting me when turning). I placed it on the stiffest setting on 19 mm.
#24
Red - I know what you mean - it does make the car feel more pointable.
If you get into it, there are, of course, a whole series of other things that you can add to get even more of that feeling - a LOT more, and while making the car ride better at the same time.
From "Road Warrior": "Speed is just a question of money. How fast do you want to go?"
If you get into it, there are, of course, a whole series of other things that you can add to get even more of that feeling - a LOT more, and while making the car ride better at the same time.
From "Road Warrior": "Speed is just a question of money. How fast do you want to go?"
Last edited by OldRick; 12-26-2008 at 10:41 AM.
#25
Does the addition of a Rear Sway Bar affect high-speed cornering in a negative way? I'm talking large sweeping curves, not city-street right-angles. I heard of this somewhere, but perhaps it was someone who didn't know what they were talking about.
I just purchased a Rear Sway Bar regardless of the answer, as I do an intense amount of city-driving. Just a question! Thanks... this will be my first modification.
I just purchased a Rear Sway Bar regardless of the answer, as I do an intense amount of city-driving. Just a question! Thanks... this will be my first modification.