Hello all,
I have some M030 swaybars I would like to install myself. I got under the car and started to do the work but then got scared off. Can someone with experience give me some help/advice here?

I started on the front. Frist step obviously is to remove the plasctic plate that covers the underbody. Not easy to get the clips off but I was able to remove a few. Is there a trick to this that I'm missing?

The next step is where I was scared off. It looks like I have to remove 4 bolts that hold a steel plate securing the front suspension (sub-frame?). One on each side. As well as two diagonal (triangle formation) support beams in order to get to the front bar.

If I take these out will the suspension fall down on me? Will the front end be all out of alignment if I undo these bolts and then put it back together? Will the subframe shift?

I decided that not knowing what would happen that I better stop and get some advice from someone that has done it before.

The rear looks like a piece of cake.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Sharky? any input?

Thanks,
Andy

 

To remove the plastic plate, use 2 flat blade screwdrivers. You don't have to remove any front suspension. There are 2 boomerangs (for lack of a better word). Remove the 4 bolts but only loosen the middle bolt in the boomerang. Then you can pivot the boomerang out of the way of the bushing mounts. When you take it out, pay attention spacially how it comes out so you can remember how it goes back in. It's been a few years, but I've done it a couple times.

 

arenared, I know exactly what you mean when you say boomerangs! How funny. So only loosen and pivot on the one that seems to be part of the lower A-arm. How about the two cross supports? They also act as the grip point for some of the clips that hold the plastic plate. Is it OK to remove those?

Thanks for the help.
andy

 

If I recall, the plastic plate is held on by 5 clips and 2 or 4 10mm nuts. I think it also fits in tab/slot style in the rear. IIRC, it's only the 2 bolts at the ends of the boomerang that need to be removed. Just loosen the one slightly at the front end of the control arm/track rod. I'm pretty sure those are the only steps (in addition to the obvious ones of undoing the end links and bushings).

 

I took the "boomerang's" completely off when I changed bars with no ill effects. It looks intimidating that there's soo much under there to take apart but once you dig into it the swap is pretty straight forward and everything will go back together without problems.

However...that's probably the most time consuming front bar change I've ever done on any car...not most difficult just most time consuming.

When you get to the rear and you're done in 20 minutes you'll wonder why the front had to be that hard.

Andy

 

I suppose everyone whose done this job for themselves has had this same first impression; all this has to come off first!

In my case I add the added 'enjoyment' of creating custom end-links to fit GT3 bars under my 2000 C4 Coupe 6sp; those pesky front axles...

 

anyone have pics or a DIY to share?

 

Here's a link to a full suspension change to ROW, it's more than you need but parts of it should help.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=7073