Just did an install on my hatch with a 13mm del sol sway bar and control arms. My hatch is a SI so the holes on the sub-frame are predrilled for the sway bar bracket. I want to share my experience in a form of a how-to in case anyone else wants to install one in their car. Correct me if I'm wrong, I think all of the USDM spec hatchbacks 92-95 control arms cannot be used to install the sway bar because it doesn't have the threaded hole to attach the stock end link. This took about an hour to install.

Step 1) Make sure your E-Brake is up and your front tires are secure. Loosen your lug nuts and jack the rear end and put on Jack stands. Remove the wheels after the rear end is lifted safely.

Step 2) After taking off the wheels, loosen the three bolts attached to the control arms in order just for reference. I don't know if it will make any difference, but I did that anyway.

Step 3) Install the brackets. The nut I used was a M8-1.25 (got it from home depot) flange nut and a 8X18 flange bolt. I attached an image below of what the flange nuts look like inside of the sub-frame.

Step 4) If you have new control arms, install them first before attaching them to the sway bar. Don't tighten the bolts all the way, torque them as the last and final step. Lube all bushings that are attached to the sway bar. Attach the sway bar to the link, then the end links to the control arm.

Step 5) Adjust the sway bar for fitment of the brackets attached to the sub-frame. Mount the sway-bar to the sub-frame brackets. Torque down all of the mounting brackets for the sway-bar and the bolts attached to the control arms to oem spec. Make sure you have them all torqued down.

Step 6) Put your wheels back on the car after double checking if you got everything torqued down and take the car for a spin around the block.

Overall : The ride felt great overall, but for some odd reason, my exhaust is rubbing close against the right side of the sway bar end link. I may have to either re-position the sway bar or take it to a muffler shop to get it fixed. I will update this as soon as I figure out the problem I'm having. *UPDATE* Got the axle back piping replaced to make up for the lack of clearance so now it runs well and handles like a roller coaster!

 

Pretty basic install. I put a 99-00 Si rear sway bar on my 98 Hx and it was a direct bolt in with all OEM parts off a wrecked Si. Some models will not have the hole for the endlink to mount to the LCA so either aftermarket LCA, OEM ones for a model with a rear sway bar or drilling holes is a needed fix. Adding a rear sway bar even a small OEM one makes a noticeable difference in handling.

 

nice write up! thanks.

 

Good write up. Glad to hear you felt a noticeable difference. Just grabbed a 13mm bar myself - awaiting the brackets - and was wondering whether it would actually make a difference.

 

Great Write Up...I did this a while ago and went with Blox LCA (Lets start the flaming for this) on my del sol...and it definitely made a difference. I am sure your experience is the same with the rear end of the car just feeling much more predictable.

BTW...I had to read over your write twice, question why you pulled the wheels off...I did not realize you changed LCA's!