Hey all. I’m currently running the 24mm ASR rear sway bar on my 91 crx. During a track day at laguna seca, I was having an issue where, from my understanding, my rear driver tire was coming off the ground while trail braking. This would cause it to lock up in the air and when it touched back down it would just flat spot my tire. Anyways, my question is when you guys installed your rear sway bars, did you install the end links with the car on the ground or in the air (preload or no preload). I’ve watched multiple videos and I’ve seen both methods. I was not three wheeling before the installation of this sway bar. I’m going back in May and I’m hoping to not flat spot my tire again lol. Any info on this and three wheeling as a whole is appreciated.

 

Watching for any replies because I thought sway bars were all about differential lateral suspension movement. I dont see how it could preload anything unless you have the bar rigidly affixed to the frame.

 

I realize this is probably too late for the OP, but the sway bar should be able to spin freely--it doesn't provide any resistance to compression/extension of both wheels at the same time. It only takes a load when the left and right shocks are at different degrees of compression. So it shouldn't matter what position the suspension is in when you install it and tighten the end links, unless you have a seizing bushing.

I'm guessing maybe the sway bar is just too stiff for your vehicle weight.

 

What you're experiencing is common and the lock-up in the air is truly a result of the stiff(er) components and lack of ABS. Eric Kutil Racing discusses this in fair detail in the video below. My personal car, a 2000 Integra LS does not have this issue with a 24mm ASR bar due to having ABS. But a buddies car, a 98' Civic Hatchback without ABS does, at Streets of Willow.

Link to Eric's video discussing: