anotero
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Hither and thither
- Car(s)
- Mk7 GTI
I am wondering if it's fine to change out a rear sway bar bushing without removing the sway bar itself.
7
Swaybar Bushing Install
- Thread starter anotero
- Start date
sandmangti
Autocross Newbie
I vote yes.
Might be easier to loosen end link bolts but maybe not remove. Try first tightened then see.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Might be easier to loosen end link bolts but maybe not remove. Try first tightened then see.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
anotero
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Hither and thither
- Car(s)
- Mk7 GTI
Yes, I think I may loosen the endlink bolts, but maaan do I not want to pull the whole sway bar out (I'm too lazy).
sandmangti
Autocross Newbie
Should just have to be able to pull bar back from mounting position 1 inch or so. Did they give you lube for pushing when you install?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
anotero
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Hither and thither
- Car(s)
- Mk7 GTI
Nope, just the bushings. Anything I need to lather them with before installing?
Sandman GTI
Drag Race Newbie
- Location
- Tennessee USA
I would stop by local auto store and ask them to see options.
They should be able to help. A thin layer will be enough.
https://youtu.be/zwg8Y_TzUBM
sandmangti
Autocross Newbie
Good point.
OP are these OE bushings?
If so why replace the bushings?
Easy to just do the entire bar and end links. Upgrade.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
anotero
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Hither and thither
- Car(s)
- Mk7 GTI
No. I have an ST bar with its bushings. One of the bushings is done.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
sandmangti
Autocross Newbie
I'd give it a try.
Might need some strong arm to get it off then. Might not be bad.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
anotero
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Hither and thither
- Car(s)
- Mk7 GTI
In my case the bushing has a tear in it, and I hypothesize that I can pull it off the sway bar without much of a problem after I undo the screws connecting the bracket to the body (but maybe not). I'll see as I go along. My original question was about the feasibility of leaving the bar in place -- I do not know how strongly loaded it is in its installed position, and how difficult it is to remove it without a lift (I am going to put the rear of the car on ramps as I'm doing this at home).
anotero
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Hither and thither
- Car(s)
- Mk7 GTI
Now that I mention putting the car on ramps, would it be better to put it on jack stands so that the wheels are not actually resting on a surface? Would an unloaded suspension make it easier to remove the bushings/brackets/sway bar? (I feel like I already answered that very question 
)
)Yoliber
Ready to race!
- Location
- Irvine, CA
I believe you want your tires loaded equally when working on swaybars.
anotero
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Hither and thither
- Car(s)
- Mk7 GTI
By equally do you mean all 4, or both of the rears in this case, since I'm working on the rear sway bar?
Stupid question, but you're talking abiut the two brackets with rubber inserts that bolt the bar to the frame, right? Not the end links at all, yes?
If so, then with the ST versions (I just installed one a month ago) Iirc, you should definitely be able to get them off and new ones on with the ends still bolted in if the suspension is unloaded (stands, not ramps).
The rubber they used is super soft and should be easy to peel off the bar. If it were the oem ones, then yea you might have a big hassle.
Then if you really wanted to you could do final tighten down with suspension compressed (put wood blocks under wheels and lower).
A very long extension on an impact gun will help (for so many things). I think I used a 12" wobble on mine.