Sway Bar Installation

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This tutorial will show you how to install sway bars onto your 350Z. The process is fairly straight forward so if you have some basic hand tools you should have no problem accomplishing this job. The front sway bar is easily accessed after the plastic under panel is removed. However the rear sway bar is more difficult to remove since it steps up and over the exhaust.

Nismo Sway Bars

1 Also See
2 Tools Required
3 The Procedure
4 Stillen Installation Manual
5 Hotchkis Installaion Manual
6 Factory Service Manual

Also See

Tools Required

Small flat screwdriver
Assorted sockets (10mm, 14mm)
Socket wrench
Torque wrench

The Procedure

Front Sway Bar

Front Bar

Raise vehicle to adequate height for sway bar removal. This is best accomplished on an automotive lift. If you are using a floor jack please follow all safety precautions i.e. using wheel chocks; jack stands while under vehicle.
For front sway bar removal, start by removing the plastic engine splash guard using a 10mm socket and flat head screwdriver. Remove the right side splash panel surrounding the right side sway bar frame mount.
Remove the end links connecting sway bar to lower arms with a 14mm socket. Remove the 4 bolts on each side that attach the frame mounts to the frame. Remove sway bar from the vehicle being sure to save the old mounts and bushings.
Position the old sway bar bushings in approximate locations on the new sway bar (or use new bushings if included with your kit). Lift bar into position and attach frame mounts to the frame. Torque the 2 outer bolts to 41-49 ft-lbs and the 2 inner bolts to 55-66 ft-lbs. Install the end link and torque those bolts to 59-70 ft-lbs. Reinstall right side splash panel and engine splash guard.
Done!

Rear Sway Bar

Rear Bar

With vehicle still raised remove right rear tire. The exhaust center section will be dropped for clearance. Remove the rear 2 nuts and exhaust hangar closest to the sway bar to accomplish this
Remove the end links connecting sway bar to lower arm. Remove the 4 nuts attaching the 2 sway bar frame mounts to the vehicle. Slide the sway bar out from the right side of the vehicle, being sure to save the old mounts and bushings.
Position the old sway bar bushings in approximate locations on the Stillen sway bar. Lift bar into position and attach frame mounts to frame. Torque frame mount nuts to 20-29ft-lbs. Install end links and torque to 37-44ft-lbs. Reattach exhaust flange nuts and hangar, reinstall wheel and lower vehicle.

Adjusting The Sway Bar

To properly set your new sway bars you will have to know what type of handling characteristics you desire from your vehicle. Your new rear sway bar will have 3 positions you can place the end links at. The front sway bar will have either 3 or 4 holes depending on when your bar was made. The newer bar has 4 holes. The hole closest to the end of the sway bar is the softest setting having the least amount of change from your stock bars. The hole furthest away is the stiffest setting and will be the maximum amount of change available from stock. We recommend the middle position on both bars as an ideal starting point, if you have the older style bars. If you have the newer bars, start in the middle for the rear bar and in the second from the end position in the front. CAUTION: Having the bar to stiff in the rear with street tires can cause "snap" oversteer. This can be very dangerous on the street. Use caution when adjusting your new sway bars.