stevescivic

hi everyone, I just installed the suspension techniques sway bar into my CRX si today and there are a few things that I'm confused about that the install. Installation manual doesn't say too much.

1. The bracket that goes on the strut has 1 side that has 1 hole and the other corresponding side has 2 holes. Which one goes where? I saw a write up on the net and it appears that the strut is to mount into 1 of the 2 holes and then the sway bar simply bolts onto the lone hole on the other side. Can someone please clarify which is the right way to install the bracket and which hole to use for the strut.
2. The kit says it comes with 6 metric bolts to mount the main support brackets back onto the car with the tow hooks. My kit, despite being sealed from factory did not have the 6 40mm bolts that it was supposed to have.
3. The endlinks that tie the actual bar to the control arms are adjustable but how do I know how much to screw them in or out? There is no indication of this in the instructions.
4. I have spare bolts left in my kit and I re-read and re-read the instructions and nowhere in the manual does it say to use the extra bolts. What gives?

I want to make sure I do the proper install and not rip the factory threads out of the frame or damage my suspension.

I'm hoping you experts here can direct me in the proper direction.

Thanks,

Crx Jimmy

you adjust the endlinks so there is no preload to the bar when the wheels are on level ground.

Tyson

you flip the bracket so the side with the extra welded edge kinda locks to the side of the shock, preventing it from completely rotating. it doesnt matter if you use the top or bottom hole really. this is one of the issues with the ST kit, that bracket is just really kludgy.
reuse the factory bolts to fasten the L bracket to the frame.with the weight of the car, the arms should be adjusted level and equal on both ends.for whatever reason, you end up with more bolts and stuff. as long as it all functions somewhat normally its ok.

btw, the bushing does need to be tweaked a bit. basically the bushing squeezes the swaybar too much. you need to relieve some of the pressure. find some regular washers with an ID wide enough to fit the bolts that hold the U clamp to the big L bracket. place the washer in between the U clamp and bracket so it spaces it out a bit. this will allow the swaybar to rotate freely. it should be able to be moved by hand with little resistance.

if you post pics, i can confirm that you did things properly.

stevescivic

Thanks guys for your insigtful input.

Okay, so I got my sway bar installed but I have a few questions - specifically to Tyson's original reply.

1. There is mention to reuse the factory sub frame rail bolts (6 - 14mm bolts) but technically aren't these bolts too short after the lockwasher, shim washer, tow hook and ultimately the sway bar bracket ?
2. I didn't have any washers to shim up the pivot bushing bracket so I simply tightened things down anyways with the car parked on pavement however, when driving my car and taking corners I hear this wicked "CLUNK!" sound so I'm assuming its the sway bar bushings giving way to twisting forces put on the sway bar. Nothing appears broken but I'd be more comfortable knowing what is causing this awful sound.
3. Tyson you said to post pics. Can you direct me to a link that will show me how to do this?

Many thanks, HT rocks!

Tyson

theres plenty of thread.

the clunk is most commonly the exhaust hitting the new thicker bar. easiest solution is putting some kind of rubber padding and zipties to reduce the noise. cut a hose or something. its not pretty but whatever.

start a photobucket account and upload your pics there.