DIY: Hotchkis F&R Sway bar install
07-04-2011, 10:28 AM
#48
Just installed this thanks to Betty. I was having the hardest time getting the front sway bar link nuts to come off. Rears came off using my 12 inch socket wrench! I had to whip out my heavy duty torque wrench (the one that I use for my tires/wheels LOL) to be able to get enough torque into it to get it out. Other than that, very smooth install except for the occasional wrench dropping on my face haha. And I do hear some creaking over big bumps. Don't know why. I used both things of grease on the bushings. Inside and outside. 
07-04-2011, 03:00 PM
#49
Just installed this thanks to Betty. I was having the hardest time getting the front sway bar link nuts to come off. Rears came off using my 12 inch socket wrench! I had to whip out my heavy duty torque wrench (the one that I use for my tires/wheels LOL) to be able to get enough torque into it to get it out. Other than that, very smooth install except for the occasional wrench dropping on my face haha. And I do hear some creaking over big bumps. Don't know why. I used both things of grease on the bushings. Inside and outside.
08-24-2011, 12:05 PM
#50
I'm doing the install this weekend and wanted to double check torque specs as I got a little confused. I have a g37 sedan XS. My torque wrench has both nm and lb settings
Front
Endlinks: 62ft-lbs
Bushings: 37ft-lbs
Rear
Endlinks: 41ft-lbs
Bushings: 25ft-lbs
Front
Endlinks: 62ft-lbs
Bushings: 37ft-lbs
Rear
Endlinks: 41ft-lbs
Bushings: 25ft-lbs
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abrecos (06-10-2020)
03-31-2012, 10:09 PM
#55
Long term follow up
It's been a little over 3 years that I've had these sway bars on the car. I still like the way they feel very much. I recently had some noises and they were both related to the sway bars. One was simply that the bushings needed lubrication. That is easy with a grease gun becasue these particular sway bars have grease zerks so they can be lubricated in just a few seconds without removing the brackets.
The second noise was harder to find but it ended up being a loose nut holding one of the front brackets. I checked them all and one nut in the rear was loose as well. I torqued each nut to spec during installation, so you may want to check them periodically. I'd recommend checking nut torque and lubricating every 12 to 18 months. I think it was great that I got over 3 years without doing either.
It's been a little over 3 years that I've had these sway bars on the car. I still like the way they feel very much. I recently had some noises and they were both related to the sway bars. One was simply that the bushings needed lubrication. That is easy with a grease gun becasue these particular sway bars have grease zerks so they can be lubricated in just a few seconds without removing the brackets.
The second noise was harder to find but it ended up being a loose nut holding one of the front brackets. I checked them all and one nut in the rear was loose as well. I torqued each nut to spec during installation, so you may want to check them periodically. I'd recommend checking nut torque and lubricating every 12 to 18 months. I think it was great that I got over 3 years without doing either.
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abrecos (06-10-2020)
04-01-2012, 01:56 PM
#56
check
+1 on checking the bolts. I heard some noise and figured it was time to grease the bushings. I waited for some free time and did the front, taking time to grease by hand. I use ramps and stops. When I got the back up I looked and found the bar disconnected. Missing end link bolt . Car handles a lot better with the bar connected.
Long term follow up
It's been a little over 3 years that I've had these sway bars on the car. I still like the way they feel very much. I recently had some noises and they were both related to the sway bars. One was simply that the bushings needed lubrication. That is easy with a grease gun becasue these particular sway bars have grease zerks so they can be lubricated in just a few seconds without removing the brackets.
The second noise was harder to find but it ended up being a loose nut holding one of the front brackets. I checked them all and one nut in the rear was loose as well. I torqued each nut to spec during installation, so you may want to check them periodically. I'd recommend checking nut torque and lubricating every 12 to 18 months. I think it was great that I got over 3 years without doing either.
It's been a little over 3 years that I've had these sway bars on the car. I still like the way they feel very much. I recently had some noises and they were both related to the sway bars. One was simply that the bushings needed lubrication. That is easy with a grease gun becasue these particular sway bars have grease zerks so they can be lubricated in just a few seconds without removing the brackets.
The second noise was harder to find but it ended up being a loose nut holding one of the front brackets. I checked them all and one nut in the rear was loose as well. I torqued each nut to spec during installation, so you may want to check them periodically. I'd recommend checking nut torque and lubricating every 12 to 18 months. I think it was great that I got over 3 years without doing either.
04-01-2012, 04:32 PM
#57
I purchased a tube of the grease that comes with the bars from Hotchkis and keep it in a grease gun. I put it in the trunk so I can give those Zerk fittings a good shot every other oil change when its on a lift. I think they charge about $26. for the tube which is pricy but then again how often will I need to buy a new one, not to often I hope. Never hear a peep out of the bars.
04-20-2012, 05:26 PM
#59
Registered User
Rear bar:
Bushings: 25 ft/lbs
Endlinks: 41 ft/lbs
I am confused. Also, just paranoid lol.
04-20-2012, 07:09 PM
#60
The torques specs I posted are directly from the 2008 G37 Coupe FSM - Revision June 2007. I can't comment on what anyone else posted or what they should be for your application. If you're paranoid, check the FSM to be sure. Or just go with the higher specs if you are worried about a difference of 8 ft/lb on a sway bar bracket nut.