Swaybar Install (warning: 10 pics)
07-06-2001, 06:03 AM
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Swaybar Install (warning: 10 pics)
There's been a lot of posts about swaybars recently so I figure I would post pics of the install on my car that Ferris and I did July 4th.
First, thanks to Zev for acquiring the bar for me.
Here are the tools we used: 17mm Socket and Open End Wrench, 13mm Socket and 2 (you need 2) Open End Wrenches, Metric Allen Wrenches (I think someone said 5mm. I thought the instructions said 2mm. Whatever, you'll find the right one.) WD-40 and make sure you have paper towels handy, rubber gloves would have been smarter.
Once you have the car up, climb under and start by removing the ends of the sway bar from the connecting link using the allen wrench and the 17mm open end wrench.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar1.jpg">
Next remove the bushing clamp from the sub frame using the 13mm socket and an open end wrench. Note: The passenger side is a PITA, have your friend do that one.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar2.jpg">
Do this on both sides and drop the factory swaybar on the passenger side, then negotiate it around the exhaust for complete removal. We found it necessary to drop the exhaust hangers to put the new bar in, so you may want to drop the exhaust from the get go. This will make removal easier.
Once the bar is out, you can compare stock to Neuspeed.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar3.jpg">
We then, not following the instructions, put the bar in place to get an idea of what we were looking at. (We had never done this before so it was a learning process.)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar4.jpg">
Here's the phallic shot! Lube up the supplied bushings using the supplied grease. Warning!! This stuff is EXTRA sticky. If you apply this with bare hands like I did, you will feel like Spiderman afterwards. It took several washings to get that crap off my hands.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar5.jpg">
Next, attach the bushings to the bar by working the slit over the swaybar. Try to line up the bushing in it's final location the best you can by eye. You don't want to drag it around too much because you will be left with a really sticky swaybar.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar6.jpg">
The next step we took was attaching the supplied subframe connectors. Neuspeed provides no pictures with their instructions, and having never seen an S4 witha swaybar installed before it took us a little bit to figure out how the mount. Also, they do not fit prefectly until they are fastened in place, which makes figuring out where they go a little difficult. Here you can see them installed. The bolt circled on the left is where the bracket mounts BEHIND the swaybar mounting holes. The stock bar is bolted using the retainer in the stock location. The new bar is bolted to that same spot but also into the bracket. The other part of the bracket is bolted to the subframe to add more strength and stability. The bolts on the sub frame are a bit of a pain. You need thinner hands and a bit of dexterity to work them from the inside out.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar7.jpg">
VERY IMPORTANT!! Do not tighten the bolts on the bracket connecting to the subframe. Tighten the bolts that attach the swaybar first. Otherwise you will not be able to negotiate the holes to line up with the screws. Tightening the bolts to the subframe should be the last step.
Here's a pic of the driver's side installed.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar8.jpg">
Here's a pic of the passenger's side installed.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar9.jpg">
Finally, tighten up the subframe bolts, make sure everything else is tight and gaze upon your finished product.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar10.jpg">
Now repeat after... I no longer have a warranty.
Happy motoring.
z | b
Ferris
First, thanks to Zev for acquiring the bar for me.
Here are the tools we used: 17mm Socket and Open End Wrench, 13mm Socket and 2 (you need 2) Open End Wrenches, Metric Allen Wrenches (I think someone said 5mm. I thought the instructions said 2mm. Whatever, you'll find the right one.) WD-40 and make sure you have paper towels handy, rubber gloves would have been smarter.
Once you have the car up, climb under and start by removing the ends of the sway bar from the connecting link using the allen wrench and the 17mm open end wrench.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar1.jpg">
Next remove the bushing clamp from the sub frame using the 13mm socket and an open end wrench. Note: The passenger side is a PITA, have your friend do that one.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar2.jpg">
Do this on both sides and drop the factory swaybar on the passenger side, then negotiate it around the exhaust for complete removal. We found it necessary to drop the exhaust hangers to put the new bar in, so you may want to drop the exhaust from the get go. This will make removal easier.
Once the bar is out, you can compare stock to Neuspeed.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar3.jpg">
We then, not following the instructions, put the bar in place to get an idea of what we were looking at. (We had never done this before so it was a learning process.)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar4.jpg">
Here's the phallic shot! Lube up the supplied bushings using the supplied grease. Warning!! This stuff is EXTRA sticky. If you apply this with bare hands like I did, you will feel like Spiderman afterwards. It took several washings to get that crap off my hands.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar5.jpg">
Next, attach the bushings to the bar by working the slit over the swaybar. Try to line up the bushing in it's final location the best you can by eye. You don't want to drag it around too much because you will be left with a really sticky swaybar.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar6.jpg">
The next step we took was attaching the supplied subframe connectors. Neuspeed provides no pictures with their instructions, and having never seen an S4 witha swaybar installed before it took us a little bit to figure out how the mount. Also, they do not fit prefectly until they are fastened in place, which makes figuring out where they go a little difficult. Here you can see them installed. The bolt circled on the left is where the bracket mounts BEHIND the swaybar mounting holes. The stock bar is bolted using the retainer in the stock location. The new bar is bolted to that same spot but also into the bracket. The other part of the bracket is bolted to the subframe to add more strength and stability. The bolts on the sub frame are a bit of a pain. You need thinner hands and a bit of dexterity to work them from the inside out.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar7.jpg">
VERY IMPORTANT!! Do not tighten the bolts on the bracket connecting to the subframe. Tighten the bolts that attach the swaybar first. Otherwise you will not be able to negotiate the holes to line up with the screws. Tightening the bolts to the subframe should be the last step.
Here's a pic of the driver's side installed.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar8.jpg">
Here's a pic of the passenger's side installed.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar9.jpg">
Finally, tighten up the subframe bolts, make sure everything else is tight and gaze upon your finished product.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18321/swaybar10.jpg">
Now repeat after... I no longer have a warranty.
Happy motoring.
z | b
Ferris
