Have searched to no avail. Want to install POWERFLEX Race front sway bar bushings w/o completely dropping the subframe. Can it be done relatively EZ by just removing the rear bolts and lowering just enough to gain access? What else would I need to do? TIA

 

You would need to remove the six in the rear plus one on each side. Essentially you want the front to be the only thing holding the sub frame on. Then you just need an 18mm wrench. But I'll let you know now they are in there tight. And might take all day unless you are using a lift. And you should replace the control arm bushings while you have all that loose

 

Already did the control arm bushings w/o lowering the subframe. Gee, that was fun! (But then, I love to suffer!) Will I need to detach power steering reservoir, coolant expansion tank, steering coupler, etc.?

 

Just the steering res and the steering coupler. Coolant tank has nothing to do with this job

 

Thanks, R34king! How far down can I lower the rear of the front subframe? Or will it just stop lowering on it's own when it reaches its limit? Anything else need support when it's lowered? No need to remove the front bumper cover?

 

It will stop on its own. But you can persuede it to go about another inch. No need to remove bumper cover. May want to unplug PS pump wires and fan wire just to be safe. Then its just the 4 18mm bolts

 

Thanks again! Checked the factory torque on the sway bar brackets: 125 lb.ft. No wonder it was a bear of a job! Was there room for a breaker bar?

 

since an 18mm wrench is recommended , double wrenching it may work better to get leverage. but i have not done this job so that is just a suggestion , not fact

 

Yes if you take the subframe bolts out without unbolting it from the bumper it will stay in the car, but come down enough that you can get a wrench on the sway bar bush brackets. Loosen the bolts and you can slide the bushings out without removing the bracket all the way.
We keep the Race sway bar bushings in stock.

 

I need to do this job again. I've changed the end links and the sound goes away for a few months and then returns so must be the bushings failing, again.

Anyway I found 2 videos:

 

Those videos aren’t for the R53.

 

Oh lord youre right...I posted to wrong group. Sorry 'bout that.

 

Oh. Oops. I see your sig now

 

i tried changing the bushings on my car without fully dropping the subframe and had a hard time getting enough torque to pull off the bolts holding the sway bar bushings. I ended up lowering it a couple inches, and it made it so much easier. For your sanity it's worth dropping it a little even if you need to undo more things!

 

I couldn't imagine trying to get enough torque on those bolts to remove them without dropping the sub-frame completely. I had to get a 3/4" x 30" breaker bar on mine to get them loose. The torque spec on those bolts is over 100 ft-lbs.

 

I'm next...I did this 40k miles ago...changed the endlinks...still clanking...aftermarket bushings didnt last very long. Not looking forward to it.