1. On a modern "unibody" car, the steel pressings used to form the body panels are also stressed members. In other words, the old way of building a car, with a frame and then a body on top of that, is not used. Still, there has to be something to attach the drivetrain and suspension to. That's what the subframes are for.
2. The stock swaybar mounting brackets on this car, at least at the rear, are weak and flimsy. Some people have had bracket failure even with a stock 19mm bar, esp if they autocross or drive the car hard.
3. Installing any larger rear bar requires reinforcement of the swaybar brackets. This requires welding stronger brackets to the subframe, which requires pulling the whole subframe assembly off the car. A do-it-yourselfer who knows how to weld could accomplish this rather easily on their existing subframe, or you could take it to a shop, explain what needs doing, even show them pictures from this site and get it done that way.
4. You could also obtain a used subframe from a junkyard or other source, and send it to Terry Haines (in MI) to get the work done. I think he has a core charge, refundable when you send him your old subframe. Or, you could send him your own subframe if you can live without your car for a while.
5. The item in this GB is a brand new subframe from ATI with the required modifications already done. So, no worries about rust, etc., especially if you live in a high-rust climate.
6. Even though there have been some failures with stock bars, IMO, this piece is not "required," unless you a) install a bigger rear bar, or b) drive aggressively and care about extracting the last nth of performance out of your suspension.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
