Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Need clarification on rear sway bar swap

I'm going to be swapping the stock sway bar on my 97 LX to one that came off an SVT this weekend.

I did a search here and looked at the haynes manual, and I'm not completely clear on the install. The manual says to jack the rear and take off the wheels for the swap, but I thought I've seen mention on this site that the rear should actually be down.

Taking off the rear wheels is no problem since I'll also be changing my rear rotors & pads, but I just want to make sure I do it right. TIA.

I've done the RE and RE by driving the car backwards with rear wheels on ramps. This keeps the tension off the bar and makes it a snap to get to the bolts.

Chris,

Sorry, I must be tired, but what's "RE and RE"?

So, I should use ramps to raise the rear to gain access to the bar/bolts/clamps. Thanks.

Be prepared to rip the old bar out and shove the new one in with tremendous force. Or you can lower the gas tank.. You might get lucky and won't have to do neither.