How f***ed am I in this situation? (rsb install)

by **Inverted** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:53 pm

Let me start by saying that I understand and accept that I'm a complete noob with regards to automotive work but I'm determined to learn no matter what it takes. Your words of wisdom are welcome.

The Adventures of my TRD RSB Installation:

Finally got the stock bar off, had to saw 2 sway link bolts off because of the damn hex bolts and Canadian winters. Finally got the TRD bar in position, was a b*tch to finally get the bushings and brand new end-links threaded.

Guess what happens when I tighten the bushing bolts?

SNAP!!!!!! 1 on each side!

Guess what happens when I used needle-nose vice grips to hold the new TRW links, rather than use a thin crescent wrench?

Oh shttttt I moved the boot, are they wrecked?

How f***ed am I?

by **ThatVietGuy** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:56 pm

It's not that bad. It shouldn't be too hard to tap the broken stud and extract.

Try snapping a water pump bolt off in the block of an Integra. THAT was a pain in the ass to fix.

by **Inverted** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:59 pm

Ok, I understand that it'll need tapped out... just not sure if I'll be able to flex nuts enough to get that bushing re-threaded... it was pretty tough to get it in position in the first place, though I was pretty physically tired by the time I got to that point. Any tips?

What kind of tool do I need to put the end-link boots back in place?

by **Mole** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:04 pm

geeze... salt really takes a toll on things up there eh?

the endlinks should be the last thing to tighten.

thread in the clips holding the bushings first, don't tighten till both are in...

by **Inverted** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:08 pm

Yup, sure does! She's had 10 years of salty+sandy winter roads. Luckily the original owner undercoated her every winter though, I've seen much worse!! I think every time I do any suspension work from this point forward will involve pre-purchase of new bolts.

I'll definitely loosen the other bushing bolt a bit before trying to re-thread, good call.

Now about the boot on the end-link... not a clue how to get it back into place without ripping the rubber...

by **djandrey_M** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:58 pm

Jeez your making me not wanna do the install myself (I'm waiting to get my TRD bar soon).

by **Inverted** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:03 pm

Yeah... it's a pain for me because of my lack of real experience and I think proper tools. Can't even sleep tonight I'm too wired, wondering if I'm going to have to start all over. Had some troubles getting it on track setting but I managed by changing the angle of the the end-link bolt with vice grips so it would fit, and having people sit in my trunk and back seat to adjust the suspension. My advice to you is to use that PB buster LIBERALLY after every turn of the wrench, and do NOT break the hex head. Or just buy new and saw those bastards off with a rotary tool, NOT with a mini hacksaw like I did!!! :lol:

it felt pretty good when those f*ckers finally came off though!

by **TLMNICK** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:04 pm

I'm so glad my lara doesn't see winter.

I can't wait to get my RSB. I'm hoping to benefit from it greatly since the rigidity in the convertibles is a lot less than the coupe.

by **Inverted** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:05 pm

Man I'm 2 bolts away from the RSB and it's driving me CRAZY. I have football tomorrow night so I might not even get it done! UGH!!

by **SleeperSolara** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:24 pm

Dang man.

The bushin' bracket should be hand threaded first, then the end links should be tighten down last.

1. Hand tighten either side first, then when all 4 are tightened down by hand, then torque them down.

2. Then hand tighten the end link bolts evenly on both sides, then torque them down.

by **Midias** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:14 am

My rant

http://www.solaraguy.com/viewtopic.php? ... t=hate+trd

by **Inverted** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 1:05 pm

I feel your pain bro

by **JamesT** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:25 pm

I've been there as well.

I ended up melting the rubber fittings on the endlinks trying to get the nut off to remove the old sway bar.

Your best bet is to buy new endlinks while you are doing this.

by **~SolaRaSpeed~** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:30 pm

one question out of curiosity, do you have the back end lifted with a jack or are you using stands? Because that can make a difference in how hard you are making the install.

by **JamesT** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 7:26 pm

~SolaRaSpeed~ wrote:one question out of curiosity, do you have the back end lifted with a jack or are you using stands? Because that can make a difference in how hard you are making the install.

Ideally, you want the back end on the ground as though the car was being driven (weight of the driver in the driver's seat - all wheels on the ground).

Since the RSB acts as a spring, if you "coil" it - so to speak - with the back end in the air, than it won't function as well as it should.

How f***ed am I in this situation? (rsb install)

How f***ed am I in this situation? (rsb install)

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