Ok - i installed it on the lift with wheels off the ground,
or should i follow the directions and install with the wheels on the ground ????

V/R Nick

97 se auto
frankencar/budget/focuz fart can
kyb agx/sprint/fstb/rsb
clear corners all around
shaved butt !!!

 

I don't see how anyone could possibly install it with the car on the ground and be comfortable. Even at stock height, it's a pretty tight squeeze.

Of all the installs that I did, the rear end of the car was up in the air except for one. And I'll never do that again.

 

You should have no problems with the rear swaybar install with the wheels off the ground. It is of main concern with independent suspensions or axle suspensions without trailing arms WELDED to the axle like our cars. Since our rear suspension trailing arms are welded to the axle thus being a unit, it moves with with the axle during suspension stroke.

For example if we look at the front suspension with its independent setup, one side can exert leverage on the other because they move independently from each other. For the front its especially important to tighten the bolts when the suspension is at static height or simulated static height (jacking up the lower control arm until the body lifts slighly off the jackstands). You will prevent the bushings from premature wear and unecessary ride discomfort due to excessive load on the bushings.


Since all of the swaybar's mounting points are found on the trailing arm/axle unit, there is no concern/no REAL concern with flex or leverage from side to side. You will achieve static height position whether the wheels are on or off the ground.

To counteract lean on our beam axle suspension the weak link is the rigidity of the trailing arm. It flexes when you corner. The whole point of the Addco swaybar on our cars is to stiffen the trailing arms laterally, which in turn, helps with the lean.

So in short, just leave it as-is.

 

I did it on the ground when my car was stock height. It was a challenge but back in the day when it was one of my first mods so i didnt have the equipment i have today.

 

i can rest in pace now !

 

I did mine up on ramps. I cannot fit under my max from any angle, and it is @ stock height. I changed the oil/tranny fluid in my brother's Jeep last month and had to pull it up on ramps. How do some of you guys fit under there?

BTW, I finally got a jack and jackstands for Christmas...all of the other work had to be done on ramps!

 

and what's the actaul difference of doing it with the wheels on the groud, or on ramps...i could see if you were concerened about not doing it with a jack/jackstands or lift setup, but i see no difference between on the ground or up on ramps except for tightness issues (you being tight)

 

I installed it on the ground well, more like my driveway. After doing so many installs you just have a good feeling of how to do it. I did take off the wheels though.

 

i installed mine with wheel ramps ... and i used a skateboard (not mine) to go back and forth to get underneath the car

 

I'm a pretty skinny guy and I was having a tough time sliding in and out from under the car.

It's a pretty simple install but it's a pain if you're doing it by yourself.

 

Just a comment on the Addco RSB.

This is the one handling mod that I have done that has done the most for my car. It ROCKS. Couldn't believe the difference it made in the corners, just flat through them. Excellent investment.

Should be on all stock Maximas. Doesn't change ride at all, just super handling.

 

I forgot to add that I did my install while the wheels were on the ground Since my car is stock height I had ample room to move around.

 

i really need to pick one up soon .....

 

Did it by myself too But it did require the use of my legs to support the sway bar as I was attaching other side. Now that I come to think of it, I was straining a bit, hehe. I ended up using a box about 4-5 inches high to support the middle section since I didn't have any help.

 

for my gf's 93 altima gxe 5sp w/eibachs, it was a challenge to change the oil and install the rsb, but do-able.

Why don't you jack the rear, take the old one out, put the new one in, but do the final tightening w/the car on the floor?

Jae

 

i had to use a lift, no way i would fit under the car with a 1.6" drop and myself at about 230lbs.

 

Yeah i guess i am skinny then cause i didnt have that much trouble. Well maybe the whole holding up the big heavy bar while trying to mount it to the axel.