DIY : Install Performance Swaybars in 2010 Camaro

[Nine Ball]

I installed a set of Pfadt Sport Swaybars yesterday on my 2010 Camaro SS, and did my typical nice write-up. No swaybars were harmed during this installation, unlike some other write-ups I've read.

http://www.planetlsx.com/tech/How_To...010_Camaro/136



Kick that body roll problem with a set of Pfadt swaybars.
Experience Level Required
Novice wrencher

Estimated Installation Time
1.5 hours without air tools

Tools Required
1/4 and 3/8 drive ratchets
7mm shallow socket
13mm deep socket or ratchet wrench
15mm ratchet wrench
5mm Allen wrench or socket
Floor jack & jackstands, or lift

For our latest round of 2010 Camaro modifications, we will install a set of Pfadt Sport Swaybars in our project 2010 Camaro SS. The portly size and heavy weight of the newest generation Camaro does little to help in terms of handing or steering response. Replacing the flimsy factory swaybars with a set of performance tuned ones will decrease body roll when cornering, and greatly improve steering response. A little bit of the plush ride quality is sacrificed when doing this modification, but the fun factor goes way up. The Camaro now feels more like a sportscar should, especially in the curves.

Installation Steps

Rear Suspension – The rear swaybar was a little easier to remove and install than the front one was, so lets tackle the easy stuff first. Our project car already had an aftermarket exhaust system installed, but we have reports that this installation is just as simple with the factory exhaust system intact. On our aftermarket exhaust system, we had to disconnect the two rubber exhaust hangars just behind the axle to pull down on the exhaust a bit to allow the swaybar to pass over it in certain areas.

1. Working on a level and solid surface, jack both sides of the rear of the vehicle up, and place vehicle on jackstands. It is never a good idea to do work with just a jack supporting the car, as jacks have been known to collapse. For the rear swaybar install, wheels do not need to be removed.

2. Disconnect the endlink bars on both ends of the swaybar. You will need a 15mm ratchet wrench to loosen the nut, and a 5mm allen wrench to keep the stud from turning.

3. Loosen and remove the four bolts (2 per side) which are securing the swaybar rubber bushing supports. This requires a 13mm socket or wrench. After this step, the rear swaybar is now disconnected from the car.

4. Carefully slide the factory swaybar out from either side of the car, working it over the exhaust system. If necessary, disconnect the two central rubber exhaust hangers just behind the rear axle and pry/pull down on the exhaust system to gain additional clearance.

5. Slide the Pfadt swaybar into place, just the opposite as the factory one was removed. Once the swaybar is in place, squirt some of the supplied assembly grease on the locations where the new polyurethane bushings will rest.

6. Slide the new polyurethane bushings over the ends of the swaybar and up into their final resting location. Install new Pfadt metal bushing supports over the top of them. Using the factory bolts and supplied washers to install the bushing supports. Leave them hand-tight for now.

7. Install the endlinks into the ends of the swaybar. There are three holes to pick from, resulting in three possible stiffness settings. The hole closest to the swaybar itself will be the stiffest setting, and the hole furthest on the tip will be less stiff. We chose the middle hole for now. These can be easily changed later to suit your driving needs. Tighten down the end link nuts with the 15mm wrench and a 5mm allen to keep the stud from spinning. Keep an eye on the dust boot located on that balljoint stud, make sure not to twist it while tightening the nut down.

8. Go back and tighten the four bolts on the rubber bushing supports. This requires a 13mm wrench or socket. Congrats! Your rear swaybar is now installed.

Front Suspension - The factory front swaybar is kind of comical to look at. It has some huge sweeping arcs, and almost looks like an afterthought on how it is arranged in the vehicle. It was just a tiny bit more tricky than the rear swaybar for removal, but we figured it out. Some guys bust out the sawzall and cut the factory swaybar in half to get it out, we simply removed a wheel. Your choice.

1. Working on a level and solid surface, jack both sides of the front of the vehicle up, and place vehicle on jackstands. It is never a good idea to do work with just a jack supporting the car, as jacks have been known to collapse. For the front swaybar install, the passenger side front wheel should be removed.

2. Disconnect the endlinks from the ends of the swaybar. This requires a 15mm ratchet wrench for the nut, and a 7mm socket to keep the stud from spinning.

3. Remove the four nuts (2 per side) that are securing the factory rubber bushing brackets to the frame. This requires a 13mm wrench or deep socket. The swaybar is now disconnected from the vehicle.

4. Carefully work the swaybar up and over the frame, out the passenger side of the vehicle. There are a series of rubber and aluminum tubes going to the radiator and steering rack, be careful not to snag any. With a little patience, you will be able to twist and shove the swaybar in small steps until it is free. Rubber hoses give a little, so don’t be afraid to push on them a bit to get more clearance. If you get scared, bust out the saw and cut the swaybar in half. Just don’t tell your buddies about it, they will question your wrenching skills.

5. Carefully slide the Pfadt swaybar up and over the frame, the opposite of how the factory one came out. Once in place, go ahead and put the globs of grease where the new polyurethane bushings will eventually come to rest.

6. Slide the Pfadt polyurethane bushings over the ends of the swaybars and to their final resting areas. Install the new metal bushing brackets, along with supplied washers and factory nuts. Leave them hand tight for now.

7. Install the endlinks into the ends of the swaybar. Use a 15mm ratchet wrench for the nut, and a 7mm socket to keep the stud from spinning. Keep an eye on the balljoint stud dust boot, being careful not to twist it while tightening the endlink.

8. Go back and tighten the four nuts on the swaybar bushing brackets, using a 13mm wrench or deep socket.

9. Reinstall the passenger front wheel. Congrats! Your new front swaybar is now installed.

Swaybar installation does not affect alignment, you are now cleared to go carve some corners!

For more product information, please visit PfadtRacing.com

http://www.planetlsx.com/tech/How_To...010_Camaro/136

Any questions, feel free to ask!

Tony

[LittleRockCGM]

Thanks Tony - very timely - I just ordered the springs and the sways from Pfadt and was hoping this would be coming up soon!

[Nine Ball]

I'd love to hear your critique of both articles after you have completed the install. Thanks!

Tony

[PfadtRacing]

Very informative write up, Tony. Cant say "thank you" enough.

[Blade]

Tony - can you tell me exactly where do can I setup the Jack stands in the rear of the car? Also, what a good jack point for the rear of the car?

I have the front placement figured out, but the rear seems goofy.

Thanks!

[2010 SSRS]

cool

[SSilver5gen]

Great write up!! Will def be using this! but i think you installed the front sway upside down...not that it matters just letting you know buddy

[obe1]

Suggest that everyone applies loctite to the hardware; I had a rear bracket bolt and an end link nut fall off within 5,000 miles. The bolt was torqued down using a torque wrench; end link nut wasn't as it has a center allen "bolt" to keep it from spinning.

[Nine Ball]

Originally Posted by SSilver5gen

Great write up!! Will def be using this! but i think you installed the front sway upside down...not that it matters just letting you know buddy

Ummmm... the swaybar only goes one direction. Just the decal is "upside down". It only fits one way.

[GuidosCamaroSS]

anyone have a DIY for the pfadt endlinks? or any endlink?

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by GuidosCamaroSS

anyone have a DIY for the pfadt endlinks? or any endlink?

Here is what is included with the Pfadt Endlink kit.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/blog/wp-c...ndlink-kit.pdf

Essentially, you just jack the car up, support it on jack stands.

Remove the old endlinks, which if I remember correctly need a 15mm ratcheting wrench, and a 7mm box wrench to hold the stud. The ratcheting part is key, other wise you have to use an open end wrench.

Then, in install our endlinks. Use a 1/2" wrench to hold the stud from turning.

That is pretty much it. The assembly instructions and where the parts go are in the document I linked you to. Any other questions let us know!

[axis]

Thought I'd give my take on the install and a few things I did differently.

Nineball must be a magician cause I found no way to comfortably take OEM the bar out, without prying on some stuff that I didn't feel comfortable prying on. The AC and oil lines would only move so much. I even took the OEM bushings off and still couldn't comfortably get it out. The bushings aren't too bad if you do it them right. I used the biggest flathead screwdriver I had and started on the side. Put the screwdriver tip between the bushing and outter casing and twist up. This forces the clamp up and off the bushing. Repeat as needed on both sides. I was amazed at how tight they were on there. Onto the extraction. There are two big nuts/bolts staring you right in the face that are the bottom of the motor mounts. Loosen both up to the the last few threads, without taking them off. The oil pan is cast so I put a 2x4 on my floor jack and jacked up the engine from the oil pan. I didn't have to jack it all the way up, but just enough to get the bar out, about an 1-1.5in. I had my son manning the jack as I maneuvered the bar. Once up enough, the bar slid right out with a little bit of twisting. Slid the new one in and lowered the engine. Had I done this first, it would have been a hour job tops. I"m not so sure you'd even have to remove the bushings and clamps but it makes it MUCH easier and one less thing to snag on something as you remove it.

I followed Nines instructions up this point but I did mine in my garage, on jackstands.

I'll also confirm that the Pfadt sticker is on upside down when the bar is installed. It made me stop and think for a second and look everything over to see if I installed it wrong. The rear sticker is fine though.

[CyberDan]

I'm installing the sway bars right now, and got the rear ons pretty easily. The front bar was more of a pain to get out, but I didn't have to raise the motor. Now getting the eibach front sway in is a pita... I'm drained from trying to snake that bastard in. Any tips? Would raising the motor help that much?

[Nine Ball]

My Pfadt front sway went in from the passenger side, wheel removed to help. I did have to push some hoses and cooler lines out of the way temporarily, but they simply flexed and went back after the sway went in. It wasn't a smooth ordeal, I worked slowly and carefully checking each point along the bar as I continued moving it into position.

It also helped to install the rubber bushings and supports after the bar was in place, not before.

Tony