Front Sway bar removal help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ZOOMSS · 03-06-2017, 10:37 PM

Ok, so the front sway bar on my SS got bent a little on the passenger side due to a road buckle I didn't see and I am currently trying to replace it along with doing the 1le upgrade as well. However I am at a standstill with the sway bar, no matter what I try I can't get it to feed through and out. It always seems to catch on the front of the subframe no matter how I try and wiggle it. What's the trick to getting it out besides a hacksaw or taking it to the dealership and paying to have the subframe dropped? I haven't been able to pry the bushings off of it either, they seem to be stuck on due to age and I can't get enough leverage to pry them off. I've been fighting with this damn thing for the better part of two days and am at my wit's end on it. Any help or tricks those of you who have done this in your garage would be most appreciated. I've replaced sway bars before on different cars but none have ever put up this much of a fight.

OmniCamaro · 03-06-2017, 10:46 PM

It's not an easy task but it can be done.
I went out the pass side. I was back & forth trying to get it twisted just right. If memory serves correctly, while pulling from the passenger side I twisted it counter clockwise. I also lifted the pass brake disk/knuckle assy. with a floor jack.
Also, be sure that the bar is between the bolts that hold it in, pass side.

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Zombie killer · 03-06-2017, 11:37 PM

You may not want to hear this , but if you loosen bolts to the engine mounts and raise the engine up about an inch, the front sway will slide out the passenger side like butter. Especially if you have the electric steering rack, it's the only easy way. Trust me, I tried installing a new one and only got frustrated because it was so close but wouldn't go.

Synner · 03-06-2017, 11:49 PM

Take it out the passenger side, loosen the 2 motor mount bottom nuts, place a piece of wood under oil pan and lightly jack up. Comes right out with a little twisting and turning. Or if its bent then a sawzall and 20 seconds. But seeing how the old one comes out will help you route the new one in.

OmniCamaro · 03-09-2017, 04:57 PM

You get this done? I just installed my 1LE front bar, fun fun.

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mpsgolf · 03-10-2017, 10:21 AM

Did you get it out and new one in?

Interested as sway bars are in my list to do ...

OmniCamaro · 03-10-2017, 01:27 PM

See my post above for removal.
Putting the new one in is just the opposite, in through the drivers side. I had to raise my vehicle pretty high up to get the new bar in. Not as bad as getting the old one out.

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naikaidriver · 03-10-2017, 01:42 PM

The most critical part of removing the front anti-roll bar is unbolting the motor mounts and lifting the engine a few inches. Once you do that, the removal is pretty easy.

I did mine with the car on jack-stands and using the 'ol block of wood under the engine lift technique. No problem.

Scott

justjoshin · 03-10-2017, 05:23 PM

Yep I tried for a long time before loosening up the motor mounts.

StlRomAniaN · 03-11-2017, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZOOMSS

Ok, so the front sway bar on my SS got bent a little on the passenger side due to a road buckle I didn't see and I am currently trying to replace it along with doing the 1le upgrade as well. However I am at a standstill with the sway bar, no matter what I try I can't get it to feed through and out. It always seems to catch on the front of the subframe no matter how I try and wiggle it. What's the trick to getting it out besides a hacksaw or taking it to the dealership and paying to have the subframe dropped? I haven't been able to pry the bushings off of it either, they seem to be stuck on due to age and I can't get enough leverage to pry them off. I've been fighting with this damn thing for the better part of two days and am at my wit's end on it. Any help or tricks those of you who have done this in your garage would be most appreciated. I've replaced sway bars before on different cars but none have ever put up this much of a fight.

I took mine out easily without lifting the engine. That does not need to be done. All you need to do is turn your wheels all the way to the right while the car is in the air and pull the sway bar out from the passenger side by twisting it. Patience and logic is your friend here. Also, getting the car high enough in the front helps too as you can dip the sway bar down a bit.

wakespeak · 03-11-2017, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StlRomAniaN

I took mine out easily without lifting the engine. That does not need to be done. All you need to do is turn your wheels all the way to the right while the car is in the air and pull the sway bar out from the passenger side by twisting it. Patience and logic is your friend here. Also, getting the car high enough in the front helps too as you can dip the sway bar down a bit.

+1

Getting the thicker 1LE bar in is also doable without lifting the engine and with the wheels all the way to the right, although it will appear impossible.

StlRomAniaN · 03-11-2017, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakespeak

+1

Getting the thicker 1LE bar in is also doable without lifting the engine and with the wheels all the way to the right, although it will appear impossible.

Yup. Same with the solid JPSS 27mm front bar. It was actually easier than removing the stock bar.

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Dean · 03-17-2017, 08:18 PM

I just installed the race/competition Hotchkis bars. They recommended jacking up motor and loosening the trans cross member brace. It worked!

I have a whipple on top which prevented me from finishing without dropping the back of the trans down a bit. You don't have to take the driveshaft off.

driftxtz · 10-05-2021, 12:16 AM

FYI. Do not need to jack up motor. Go thru passenger side. remove one splash shield cover pin and loosen one white cable cover then you have plenty of room.

03-06-2017, 10:37 PM	#1
ZOOMSS Drives: 2010 Red Jewel 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 152 View My Garage	Front Sway bar removal help Ok, so the front sway bar on my SS got bent a little on the passenger side due to a road buckle I didn't see and I am currently trying to replace it along with doing the 1le upgrade as well. However I am at a standstill with the sway bar, no matter what I try I can't get it to feed through and out. It always seems to catch on the front of the subframe no matter how I try and wiggle it. What's the trick to getting it out besides a hacksaw or taking it to the dealership and paying to have the subframe dropped? I haven't been able to pry the bushings off of it either, they seem to be stuck on due to age and I can't get enough leverage to pry them off. I've been fighting with this damn thing for the better part of two days and am at my wit's end on it. Any help or tricks those of you who have done this in your garage would be most appreciated. I've replaced sway bars before on different cars but none have ever put up this much of a fight.

03-06-2017, 10:46 PM	#2
OmniCamaro US Veteran Drives: 2011 Silver Ice Metallic 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bossier City, La Posts: 1,407	Front Sway bar removal help It's not an easy task but it can be done. I went out the pass side. I was back & forth trying to get it twisted just right. If memory serves correctly, while pulling from the passenger side I twisted it counter clockwise. I also lifted the pass brake disk/knuckle assy. with a floor jack. Also, be sure that the bar is between the bolts that hold it in, pass side. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ *Dear Lord, give me the strength to carry on despite my Camaro addiction!* JRE iTSX tune, full cat-less Dynatech exhaust, CAI intake, Stillen Slotted/Drilled Rotors, RB braided brake lines, BMR lowering springs, (reserved for definite future MODS)

03-06-2017, 11:37 PM	#3
Zombie killer Emerald Coast Camaros Drives: 2013 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Pensacola Fla. ~Mike & Kym~ Posts: 656 View My Garage	Front sway removal You may not want to hear this , but if you loosen bolts to the engine mounts and raise the engine up about an inch, the front sway will slide out the passenger side like butter. Especially if you have the electric steering rack, it's the only easy way. Trust me, I tried installing a new one and only got frustrated because it was so close but wouldn't go. __________________

03-09-2017, 04:57 PM	#5
OmniCamaro US Veteran Drives: 2011 Silver Ice Metallic 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bossier City, La Posts: 1,407	You get this done? I just installed my 1LE front bar, fun fun. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ *Dear Lord, give me the strength to carry on despite my Camaro addiction!* JRE iTSX tune, full cat-less Dynatech exhaust, CAI intake, Stillen Slotted/Drilled Rotors, RB braided brake lines, BMR lowering springs, (reserved for definite future MODS)

03-10-2017, 10:21 AM	#6
mpsgolf Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Transformer Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: St Louis Missouri Posts: 507	Did you get it out and new one in? Interested as sway bars are in my list to do ... __________________ 2012 Camaro SS Transformer Mods: trunk subwoofer and amp, LED lighting (fogs, interior, trunk), skip shift eliminator, CAI cold air kit, Vmax ported throttle body, Stainless Works retro chambered cat back, JBA Cat4ward SS ceramic coated headers Potential Next Mods: Tune, F&R sway bars, rear cradle bushing inserts and trailing arms

03-06-2017, 11:49 PM	#4
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,542	Take it out the passenger side, loosen the 2 motor mount bottom nuts, place a piece of wood under oil pan and lightly jack up. Comes right out with a little twisting and turning. Or if its bent then a sawzall and 20 seconds. But seeing how the old one comes out will help you route the new one in.

03-10-2017, 01:27 PM	#7
OmniCamaro US Veteran Drives: 2011 Silver Ice Metallic 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bossier City, La Posts: 1,407	See my post above for removal. Putting the new one in is just the opposite, in through the drivers side. I had to raise my vehicle pretty high up to get the new bar in. Not as bad as getting the old one out. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ *Dear Lord, give me the strength to carry on despite my Camaro addiction!* JRE iTSX tune, full cat-less Dynatech exhaust, CAI intake, Stillen Slotted/Drilled Rotors, RB braided brake lines, BMR lowering springs, (reserved for definite future MODS)

03-10-2017, 01:42 PM	#8
naikaidriver Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 239	The most critical part of removing the front anti-roll bar is unbolting the motor mounts and lifting the engine a few inches. Once you do that, the removal is pretty easy. I did mine with the car on jack-stands and using the 'ol block of wood under the engine lift technique. No problem. Scott __________________ "The Beast" 2010 Camaro SS/RS LS3 Diablo T1000 with Phastek custom tune, K&N Intake, Hurst Short-Throw Shifter, Flowmaster, Outlaw II Exhaust, BMR 1" Lowering Springs, BMR 3-way Adjustable Anti-Roll Bars, BMR End Links and Reinforcement Brackets, BMR Trailing Arms, ZL1 wheels, Nitto NT555 G2 Tires, Z28-style Rear Spoiler, Hawk Plus Brake Pads, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid

03-10-2017, 05:23 PM	#9
justjoshin Drives: 2010 SW 1SS L99 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Louisiana Posts: 2,085 View My Garage	Yep I tried for a long time before loosening up the motor mounts. __________________

03-17-2017, 08:18 PM	#13
Dean Union Brother Drives: 2010 Camaro SS RS Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Carleton Posts: 49	I just installed the race/competition Hotchkis bars. They recommended jacking up motor and loosening the trans cross member brace. It worked! I have a whipple on top which prevented me from finishing without dropping the back of the trans down a bit. You don't have to take the driveshaft off.

10-05-2021, 12:16 AM	#14
driftxtz Drives: Synergy Green 2010 , 1969 Camaro RS Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Anaheim Posts: 32	FYI. Do not need to jack up motor. Go thru passenger side. remove one splash shield cover pin and loosen one white cable cover then you have plenty of room.