06-01-2020, 09:38 AM | #1 |
Drives: Chevrolet SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: St. Charles, MO
Posts: 1,446
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How easy is it to adjust an adjustable front sway bar?
If I install a BMR adjustable front sway bar, how easy and fast is it to adjust the end link positions (i.e. stiffness) at an event site. Can each side be done by just turning the steering wheel to lock and getting a socket and box wrench on the bolts holding the links to the bar's arms? Is this a 5-minute quick process? Or do the front wheels really have to be removed to get to the end links?
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Matt Miller
2020 SS 1LE |
06-05-2020, 10:16 AM | #2 |
Drives: 2013 C6Z06 Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: PA
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You would at least have to jack it up to get under there. You might not have to remove the wheel, but I would just remove the wheel. I've never changed mine from original setup.
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06-05-2020, 10:43 AM | #3 |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 2.0T, 91 Miata Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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It's possible you could get in there without taking a wheel off, but seems like it would cause more hassle than just taking the wheel off. You're going to at least have to get the wheel off the ground. Once the wheel is off it's maybe 5-10 minutes to do.
I would say just do it a day or two before going to an event if you don't want to just leave it at that setting all the time. It's not going make the car dangerous to drive to the event.
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06-05-2020, 11:25 AM | #4 |
Drives: 2019 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Florida
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It would more than likely take way more time and effort to do it without taking out the wheels, at most it takes what, 5 mins to take on and off the wheels? The most annoying thing about changing sway bar settings was dragging my jack from storage to the parking lot.
And I think turning the wheel might stretch the link too much to be able to change settings too, just take off the wheels, don't be lazy, you're already jacking up the car.
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Current: 2019 2SS 1LE aka "Blanc"
Previous: 2017 2LT aka "Noire" Mods: Chevrolet Performance Suspension || K&N Cold Air Intake || Borla ATAK Mufflers + Catback system || MRR 650 ZL1 replicas with squared 285/30 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S || ZZP 4 piston brake kit + braided brake lines || BMR everything (Solid/Lockout cradle bushing are a MUST in Camaros) |
06-05-2020, 12:19 PM | #5 |
corner barstool sitter
Drives: 08 Mustang GT, 19 WRX Join Date: Jul 2012
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I would think the best way to adjust a front bar would be to leave the wheels on and just drive the car up on ramps. You're going to want the bar to NOT be under any preload, either for getting the first bolt removed or for putting the last bolt back in. The endlinks appear to be located to the back sides of the struts, so you're not going to have to reach inside the barrels of the front wheels for fastener access.
Turning the steering wheel (even with both front wheels hanging free) would preload the bar due to caster and steering axis inclination effects. Norm
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06-05-2020, 12:36 PM | #6 |
Drives: Chevrolet SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: St. Charles, MO
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I appreciate the feedback. I agree, I certainly can't do it by jacking up just one side. But as Norm alludes, even with both front tires at equal full droop it may be difficult to manipulate the end links on the bar's arms. Ramps would be ideal if there's room to get the end links with the wheels still on.
To be clear, I'm not worried about the safety of driving the car around on any particular setting, or trying to be lazy. I'm just anticipating the possibility that some courses might favor one setting over another, and I'm wondering if it's feasible to change the front bar's setting between runs if I find that I want it stiffer or softer after an initial run. I'm still not sure I even want a non-stock front bar: in two dry events I've had two different impressions on that. Hopefully this Sunday's event will add some clarity.
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Matt Miller
2020 SS 1LE |
06-05-2020, 12:52 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 2.0T, 91 Miata Join Date: Jan 2020
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How I've messed with end links/sway bars on past cars was putting it on jack stands and using the jack to push the assembly up to the right position. I probably wouldn't try it in the 5-10 minutes between autox runs, I've heard of people doing things like that at nationals though. Between sessions at an HPDE would be no problem.
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06-05-2020, 01:31 PM | #8 | |
Drives: 2019 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Florida
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Quote:
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Current: 2019 2SS 1LE aka "Blanc"
Previous: 2017 2LT aka "Noire" Mods: Chevrolet Performance Suspension || K&N Cold Air Intake || Borla ATAK Mufflers + Catback system || MRR 650 ZL1 replicas with squared 285/30 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S || ZZP 4 piston brake kit + braided brake lines || BMR everything (Solid/Lockout cradle bushing are a MUST in Camaros) |
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06-05-2020, 08:52 PM | #9 |
Drives: Chevrolet SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: St. Charles, MO
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This would be front only (B Street rules). I'll be messing with my car a bit tomorrow morning and I'll take a look and see how the front end links look in terms of accessibility. Thanks!
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Matt Miller
2020 SS 1LE |
07-17-2020, 08:42 PM | #10 | |
Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Rainier WA
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Quote:
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07-20-2020, 12:59 PM | #11 |
Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016
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Posts: 9,816
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i have afe power adjustable ones never even thought about messing with em lol
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