has anybody had this happen to them? I do have polyurethane bushings, but a stock 93 civic ex sway bar. It's not that big of a deal, about $11 to replace for 2 brackets from honda, but it just kinda caught me by surprise. Maybe i corner a little too fast or something?

 

You probably overtightened the end links or chassis brackets. Remember, this thing is supposed to rotate. Some people crank it down hard thinking that it makes it stiffer. Take the wheels and end links off and just install the chassis brackets, then make sure you can rotate it smoothly with your bare hands.

 

I doubt its from cornering with the stock EX sway bar. maybe you hit something on the road that cracked it.

 

the chassis bracket isnt suppose to rotate.. but the endlinks only right?

 

The endlinks don't rotate. Only the bar rotates. The end links move up and down. The chassis brackets shouldn't flex at all, but they have to be loose enough to allow the bar to rotate. You shouldn't be crushing down the bushings or squeezing out all the lubricant.

 

Which part broke (indicate by number)?

 

bracket # 3 cracked.. both of them. When i install new ones, should i loosen the endlinks and tighten them again?

 

None of the stuff anybody said, made any sense then. The only thing that is in danger of breaking from "over-tightening" is the bolts themselves. It's not like that bracket can squeeze too hard on the bushing or some BS like that. All you need to do is install the nuts & bolts with the proper torque values (listed in the factory service manual), and you shouldn't experience any problems.

From my personal experience, I have found that after installing my front sway-bar, I bottom out much easier if I hit speed bumps at a severe angle. I have yet to look underneath the car to see exactly what is scraping, but I'd put my money on those brackets. They hang lower than any portion of the sway-bar itself. I'm sure if you've scraped them enough, they would become weak & break over time...

Also, suspension parts are subject to very harsh conditions (depending on where you live), and rust can cause them to become weak & fail as well. Either way, some new ones will do the job. I don't suggest aftermarket ones since the OEM has different mount heights for either side of the bracket itself. You will need new OEM ones.

When installing the new ones, just make sure the inside of the mount bushing has a light coat of grease. That will keep the bushing itself from twisting inside the mount. There's no need to loosen the end-links...

Good luck...