Front sway bar. This baby is comming out, but how?

[Turbojorge]

I took a look under there the other day but couldn't figure out how to remove the darn thing. I don't want to break something by loosening something else. The car is no longer a daily driver and I'm not planning on taking turns at 60 mph. Plus I want to see if I can better my 60' at the track next week.

Any tips for the easiest way to get it off?
TIA

 

[UNGN]

just don't be under it when you loosen that last bolt 23lbs to the head hurts.

Spray all all the bolts and nuts with penetrating oil. Otherwhise stuff will break.

 

[zam70]

6 bolts.
1 on each end (mounts to the control arm on each side, nut bolt combo)

2 "straps" (2 bolts each) in front to the left and right of center.

 

[TRBON8R]

LOL, I know all about the "straps" considering one of mine actually broke in half a couple weeks ago... How in the world does GM make a car where the sway bar mounting brackets snap??? Amazing....

 

[Turbojorge]

Thanks guys

Do any of those 6 bolts or 2 straps need to go back on once I remove the bar? Do they hold something else together or are they just for the bar?
TIA

 

[325DR]

Nope, leave 'em off. They're just for the bar.


BTW, your 60' times will get better. Mine did

 

[d0n_3d]

does anyone drive their TR on the street with it removed? reason i ask is because i don't drive my TR very hard on the street and never make sharp turns anyways so should i just remove mine? what are the bad side effects if i do remove it?

 

[zam70]

I had mine off with an aftermarket rear sway bar and it drove fine. Put the front back and and there was a little difference but not much. Not sure how it would be with the factory rear though.

 

[Turbojorge]

Originally posted by AintGoinSlo
BTW, your 60' times will get better. Mine did

I sure hope so. My goal is to make an 11.999 pass (at least) before I retire this ol' 157 K mile motor and start saving up for a rebuilt. I know that 60's are VERY important and so far, they are killing me!

Thanks dude.

 

[Intercooler]

Originally posted by Turbojorge
The car is no longer a daily driver and I'm not planning on taking turns at 60 mph.

At the track and no turns over 60 MPH This is my opinion of the idea since I have real life experience with this: Don't do it!!! These cars don't handle that great as-is and if for some reason you have to swerve (like the car next to you comes over or it gets loose on you) the roll can become uncontrollable in a hurry! Make the suspension/tires, etc... work for you rather than risk your or someone elses life.

 

[John Larkin]

It drives like a '74 LTD. Take it out on back road and do some curves at 20, 30, 40 and 50. You'll figure out real quick what you can and can't do; the car will lay over like a big 'ol whale. However, I'm skeptical that the removal alone will aid 60' a whole lot. I still have the opinion that the whole front end system has to work together to improve weight transfer (shocks/springs).

Don't be surprised if the end link bolts are rusted frozen. Just crank 'em off with a breaker bar until they snap. Then it comes apart pretty easy. If you reinstalled the bar in the future, replacement kits are very inexpensive and available at NAPA.