Hi guys, I know there's lots of info on this but I don't have time to search right now, I need to fix my car ASAP.... I lost one side of my endlink hardware somehow... I discovered this checking it out when I had weird handling issues. I then discovered that the eibach bar may have been installed upside down...both CV boots are torn up, grease everywhere, the endlink hardware was always almost touching the cv boots and recently I saw a freinds of mine and his was not like that at all, plenty of clearence..I used the Eibach hardware and black polyurethane bushings, and the sleeve between the bushings seemed way too long compared to the stock setup...anyhow, those experienced with this bar please look at my install pictures from back in 2004 and let me know if the bar is upside down... when I laid it on top of stock bar, it seemed in right position, the ends curling up but in the pic just before the bar was installed, it appears to be pointing down...these three pictures are from 2004, now it's a mess under there..grease, torn cv boots, etc..car only has 40,000km on it which is maby why it too so long to discover this flaw. At the time I had a back injury when my original sunfire was written off, and I had no access to a lift, so I trusted a shop to install it...I think they made a mistake and installed the bar wrong, and didn't tighten some bolts, I found a loose comtrol arm bolt that would have come out if not for the lower mount in the way, and a missing subframe bolt.... Anyhow, I need some opinions and then I will search and get more info myself after I get some endlinks and try and repair it temporarily.
PIcs of the original install..if you notice the bar seems to be pointing up:
Look how close the endlinks are to the cv boot, this is with the car on the lift so unsprung weight..when the car is lowered, they are even closer to the boot.
The bar pictured here mimics the stock bar's shape, but was it supposed to be installed that way??
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OK.... I found Darkstars very helpful Eibach help image....I definitley think my bar is upside down, the ends curl down, and the "Eibach" seems to be pointing up in the image I posted above...also in his how-to picture, it says install the rear hardware in front to help with rubbing issues...so the sleeves are shorter I see how this helps, so the longer endlink hardware is installed in the rear instead?? Maby a quick fix until I get the subframe dropped would be to steal an endlink off the rear eibach bar. Also, the loose control arm bolt, it won't tighten...I also can't remove it... do you think the threads in the subframe are wrecked or just the bolt? If the threads are wrecked, do I have to get another subframe?
Don't buy from MANTAPART!!
In that first pic, the bar is in properly. You don't need the smaller spacer for the end links. When the vehicle is at ride height (lowered or not), the clearance between the bar and the cv boot are fine.
14.330 @ 96.37mph
BlownBlackZ wrote:In that first pic, the bar is in properly. You don't need the smaller spacer for the end links. When the vehicle is at ride height (lowered or not), the clearance between the bar and the cv boot are fine.
Nope, it's not..check pic#1 the eibach label is visible and on the left, it should be pointing down to the floor not up, also compare pic 1 and pic 3, pic 3 the bar is how it should have been installed, eibach label on the right side facing down...and like I said in my post, the clearance is not fine since my cv boots are torn up now.
Don't buy from MANTAPART!!
i had to grid down the ends of the sway bar for extra clearance , the pass side actually would hit the clip that seals the cv boot to the axle , when the wheel was turned to lock
also had to cut down the bolts that come through the sub frame to clear the bar , think they are the 2 for the steering rack , and the 2 for the control arms , they would rub on un-even transitions
FastFireTwoTwo wrote:BlownBlackZ wrote:In that first pic, the bar is in properly. You don't need the smaller spacer for the end links. When the vehicle is at ride height (lowered or not), the clearance between the bar and the cv boot are fine.
Nope, it's not..check pic#1 the eibach label is visible and on the left, it should be pointing down to the floor not up, also compare pic 1 and pic 3, pic 3 the bar is how it should have been installed, eibach label on the right side facing down...and like I said in my post, the clearance is not fine since my cv boots are torn up now.
Well let's see. I installed this bar on my car almost five years ago, and don't have any problems. I've installed this bar on two other vehicles with no problems.
But hey, I don't know what I'm talking about.
14.330 @ 96.37mph
BlownBlackZ wrote:FastFireTwoTwo wrote:BlownBlackZ wrote:In that first pic, the bar is in properly. You don't need the smaller spacer for the end links. When the vehicle is at ride height (lowered or not), the clearance between the bar and the cv boot are fine.
Nope, it's not..check pic#1 the eibach label is visible and on the left, it should be pointing down to the floor not up, also compare pic 1 and pic 3, pic 3 the bar is how it should have been installed, eibach label on the right side facing down...and like I said in my post, the clearance is not fine since my cv boots are torn up now.
Well let's see. I installed this bar on my car almost five years ago, and don't have any problems. I've installed this bar on two other vehicles with no problems.
But hey, I don't know what I'm talking about.
Hahaha, why are you arguing with me? All I'm saying is MY bar was not installed correctly, hence the problems.
Don't buy from MANTAPART!!
Dom, did you get the information I posted on the DSCTunerhaven?
The bar does look correct.
Holler at me if you've got any questions about it.
Misnblu.com
Newbie member since 1999
Thank you Dave and JBO! 
Yes I got the info and it does appear to be correct... I'm pretty confused since my endlinks on both sides make contact with the first 2 rings of the cv boot and tore it up...even putting in the eibach endlinks with with the smaller sleeve, haven't made much difference for clearance. Trimming the ends of the bar
doesn't look like it will help much, it's the top endlink bushing that's making contact. I even put the endlinks in so the nut is on the bottom, no protruding thread up there. Maby some other problem is evident here, thanks to everyone for their input so far.
Don't buy from MANTAPART!!
FastFireTwoTwo wrote:BlownBlackZ wrote:FastFireTwoTwo wrote:BlownBlackZ wrote:In that first pic, the bar is in properly. You don't need the smaller spacer for the end links. When the vehicle is at ride height (lowered or not), the clearance between the bar and the cv boot are fine.
Nope, it's not..check pic#1 the eibach label is visible and on the left, it should be pointing down to the floor not up, also compare pic 1 and pic 3, pic 3 the bar is how it should have been installed, eibach label on the right side facing down...and like I said in my post, the clearance is not fine since my cv boots are torn up now.
Well let's see. I installed this bar on my car almost five years ago, and don't have any problems. I've installed this bar on two other vehicles with no problems.
But hey, I don't know what I'm talking about.
Hahaha, why are you arguing with me? All I'm saying is MY bar was not installed correctly, hence the problems.
first your asking if it was installed wrong, now your telling us it is installed wrong even after 3 people said it was right. are you just waiting for 1 person to say yes it was installed wrong so you can go bitch at the shop and hopefully have them pay for your new boot?
Pay a shop to do your work.
Pay for a shop's mistakes.
My personal feelings.
FastFireTwoTwo wrote:BlownBlackZ wrote:FastFireTwoTwo wrote:BlownBlackZ wrote:In that first pic, the bar is in properly. You don't need the smaller spacer for the end links. When the vehicle is at ride height (lowered or not), the clearance between the bar and the cv boot are fine.
Nope, it's not..check pic#1 the eibach label is visible and on the left, it should be pointing down to the floor not up, also compare pic 1 and pic 3, pic 3 the bar is how it should have been installed, eibach label on the right side facing down...and like I said in my post, the clearance is not fine since my cv boots are torn up now.
Well let's see. I installed this bar on my car almost five years ago, and don't have any problems. I've installed this bar on two other vehicles with no problems.
But hey, I don't know what I'm talking about.
Hahaha, why are you arguing with me? All I'm saying is MY bar was not installed correctly, hence the problems.
I'm not arguing with you. I'm TELLING you. There's a difference. In the FIRST picture you posted, the bar is in CORRECTLY. Who cares where the Eibach logo is? Do you think it's in the exact same spot every single time they stamp it? I can tell you it's not, simply based on where MY logo is. And remember where I said MY bar was in correctly, as were the other THREE that I did? But hey, if you want to call it arguing, knock yourself out. You're the one up @!#$ creek with boot problems, not me
14.330 @ 96.37mph
[quote=97cavie24ls(™)]i had to grid down the ends of the sway bar for extra clearance , the pass side actually would hit the clip that seals the cv boot to the axle , when the wheel was turned to lock
also had to cut down the bolts that come through the sub frame to clear the bar , think they are the 2 for the steering rack , and the 2 for the control arms , they would rub on un-even transitions
ahhhh hemmmm
Dom, judging from the pics your bar IS in the right way. I had the same problem - those spacers on the endlinks are way too long... even when i took a grinder to the end of the bar to shave the end down to clear the CV boots, it was still too close.
The bolts go in the same as stock - nuts on the bottom. Cut off any excess length with a hacksaw, so you don't bottom out on anything. But the spacers have to be shortened... makes a big difference in where the end of the bar sits.
Here's a tip...have the suspension fully loaded when tightening down the links. You'd be surprised the difference it makes.
14.330 @ 96.37mph
BlownBlackZ wrote:FastFireTwoTwo wrote:BlownBlackZ wrote:FastFireTwoTwo wrote:BlownBlackZ wrote:In that first pic, the bar is in properly. You don't need the smaller spacer for the end links. When the vehicle is at ride height (lowered or not), the clearance between the bar and the cv boot are fine.
Nope, it's not..check pic#1 the eibach label is visible and on the left, it should be pointing down to the floor not up, also compare pic 1 and pic 3, pic 3 the bar is how it should have been installed, eibach label on the right side facing down...and like I said in my post, the clearance is not fine since my cv boots are torn up now.
Well let's see. I installed this bar on my car almost five years ago, and don't have any problems. I've installed this bar on two other vehicles with no problems.
But hey, I don't know what I'm talking about.
Hahaha, why are you arguing with me? All I'm saying is MY bar was not installed correctly, hence the problems.
I'm not arguing with you. I'm TELLING you. There's a difference. In the FIRST picture you posted, the bar is in CORRECTLY. Who cares where the Eibach logo is? Do you think it's in the exact same spot every single time they stamp it? I can tell you it's not, simply based on where MY logo is. And remember where I said MY bar was in correctly, as were the other THREE that I did? But hey, if you want to call it arguing, knock yourself out. You're the one up @!#$ creek with boot problems, not me
Well first of all, I had about 5 people pm'ing and emailling me on here and other sites telling me bar was right and 5 saying bar was installed wrong (not in this thread), so to be honest, I was pretty confused and not going to take one persons word for it, so sorry if I didn't take your word as the gospel truth, plus why didn't you say you've installed 5 of the bars in your first reply?
2nd of all, yes I was swayed by darknights install FAQ with the logo, I even asked a freind that had one he said the logo faced down.
3rd, it was hard to tell if bar was upside down or not, the way it curves it can fool you, and given my cv boot problems I was assuming bar was wrong, maybe I made an ASS out of U and ME but I don't give a @!#$, I needed to make 100% sure the bar was installed right and now I know it is
4th, you said in this thread
" You don't need the smaller spacer for the end links. When the vehicle is at ride height (lowered or not), the clearance between the bar and the cv boot are fine. Well this statement seems to be false since my bar was (as I now know) installed correctly, and I used the endlinks with the longer spacers and my boots are @!#$ up to all hell...plus many people have told me I need the shorter spacers..I have installed the shorter spacers and there's a little bit more clearance so perhaps with some trimming of the ends of the bar it will be OK now.
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bill, I recall having to replace both your CV boots a couple years ago because your eibach bar destroyed them both...
Joe Schulte wrote:Pay a shop to do your work.
Pay for a shop's mistakes.
My personal feelings.
True, but if you read my original post, I had a back injury and no access to a lift so it was impossible for me to install it myself. I agree, I hate having a shop do anything on my car.... with my swarbar install I was watching them like a hawk and had to correct several mistakes as it was, I wasn't thinking I had to make sure they actually tightened all the bolts properly!!.... also, when they put the front wheels back on, they never used a torque wrench after using the impact...one rim came loose and almost came right off as I was driving, it was damaged and I made the shop buy me a new rim as I was threatening legal action.
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The bar didn't tear the boots, it knocked the clamps off, from spinning the wheels with the suspension unloaded. I've never had a single problem since, how does that work? And that's with using the LARGE spacers.
14.330 @ 96.37mph
My sway bar was installed as the original picture shows. Long spacers, everything.
Fits fine, touches nothing, never had a problem.
-Chris-
-Sweetness-
-Turbocharged-
Slowly but surely may some day win this race...
Wow, well how long have you had it installed? My advice to you would be to change to the smaller spacers and do the recommended trimming of the ends of the bars asap or you will no doubt have the same problem...my cv boots didn't get torn up overnight, the bar was installed in late 2004, and was only recently that they got torn up.
Also an UPDATE, I called up Eibach and bitched about the mislabelled endlink hardware and I'm trying to get them to pay for a GM outer CV boot kit at the tune of $98 so we'll see what happenes...
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BlownBlackZ wrote:The bar didn't tear the boots, it knocked the clamps off, from spinning the wheels with the suspension unloaded. I've never had a single problem since, how does that work? And that's with using the LARGE spacers.
Tear the boots?... knock off the clamps?... either way the bars caused damage to your CV boots requiring replacement ! My clips are off and the material the clips were around is long gone, grease every-damn-where and the area by the first folds is torn...How have you never had a single problem since? Simple, time.... it took almost 3.5 years of having the bar to have the torn cv boots, so anyone that's saying that haven't had a problem should just fix it before it DOES cause a problem...$100+tax for a Gm shift boot kits plus labor to install and/or other damage ( cv axle is scraped up and making noise)) is money that doesn't need to be spent.
Why it takes time to cause the damage, I have no idea...maby just under certain intermittent conditions the bar makes contact with the cv clip/boot like hard cornering and over time if it makes contact enough it knocks off the clip and/or does boot damage...once the boots are damaged and the grease is all over the inside of your rims/suspenstion parts, the cv axle will rust/or prematurely wear out requiring even more costly repairs. Actually one thing I didn't mention was one of my cv joints is making noise and the shaft is scraped up from contact and needs replacement, so damage cost so far is approaching $300 clams
The moral of the story here is anyone with a Eibach front bar should make sure they have the shorter spacers, or cut the long spacer in half, make sure the nut is on the bottom ot the control arm not on top, do the recommended trimming of the bar ends as per Darknights sticky and keep an eye on things, check them each time they get an oil change or sooner. Thank you.
Don't buy from MANTAPART!!
Joe Schulte wrote:Pay a shop to do your work.
Pay for a shop's mistakes.
My personal feelings.
YA, its a swaybar, not the hardest thing to do in the world......
Chris
'02 Z-24 Supercharged
13.7 @102.45 MPH Third Place, 2007 GMSC Bash SOLD AS OF 01MAR08
