Easiest way to bend metal?

[Dhos1]

Installing these swaybar under the hood and I would like to bend one side about 1/8th of and inch so that it sits more flush with the body once installed. I can probably do it by manhandling it. However I want to refrain from that without any dents, hammer marks etc…..I was thinking maybe to heat it. Thoughts are appreciated

 

[black owned]

Vise and 2 pieces of wood…

 

[Dhos1]

Vise and 2 pieces of wood…

Elaborate please.

 

[THensley]

please it in a vise between two peaces of wood
if you don't have a vise maybe a shiny stainless washer and manhandle it

 

[xlr8ngn]

An 1/8th inch is nearly nothing. A vise and wood is good.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Grip it between the ribs with the wood block on one side and a piece on the back side.
Keep the wood thickness to a minimum so it doesn't deform.
Make sure the ribs are not in contact with the vise jaws.
Vise it and pull/push whichever way it needs to go.
It looks like it's a "chrome won't get you home" finish...No heat!

 

[TexasT]

I'm pretty sure this is why everyone needs a BIG crescent wrench and possibly why the xl crescent was invented. Get that crescent on the tab so it is a handle, tighten to snug it up, and find a fulcrum to "adjust it". Might need as rag on the fulcrum to avoid some tattle tail marks and maybe a rag on that tab under the crescent jaws. Just remember, the more you bent it around the weaker the metal gets. For all we know it is bent that way to "preload" whatever it is bolting to.

 

[Dhos1]

Installed this today, worked perfectly and I can see it coming in handy for other projects

 

[Dhos1]

Harbor freight 30 dollar special

 

[TexasT]

A vice is definitely very handy.