I got a good deal on a new Comptech Front Swaybar from a local member and am now having a problem with the install. I have a MY 2001 and the problem is that the bolts for the sway bar mounts have a diameter of 12 mm vs. the 10 mm bolts that are used to mount the original and the Saner front sway bars. Try as I may, I can't get the 12 mm x 1.25 bolts to fit into the 10 x 1.25 hole. I verified the bolt diameter using a die on the old and the new bolts, so it's not just a bolt head issue.

Just to be clear, the bolts that I'm having a problem with are the four bolts used in the two separate mounts, that mount the sway bar to the frame, NOT the bolts involved with the end links.

What's even more confusing is that the Comptech directions show that the original bolts are 10 mm and the new longer bolts provided with the sway bar are 12 mm. Two of the new Comptech bolts are 90 mm long and two are 110 mm long vs. the stock length of ~40 mm. The longer length of the Comptech accomodates the Comptech mounting system.

The Comptech instructions also indicate that the new mounting bolts should be torqued to 89 ft-lbs. This seems awful high to me as the stock mounting bolts are only torqued to 29 ft-lbs. Is it possible that the Comptech instructions are in error?

Has anyone else had this problem? If so how did you get the Comptech Swaybar mounted up? Here's a link to the Comptech Swaybar mounting instructions so you can see what I'm talking about. http://www.comptechusa.com/instructions/ins083.pdf

Note that we've been trying to get a hold of Comptech, but have been unsuccessful to date. My car is up on stands patiently waiting for a swaybar install: stock, Saner, or Comptech--Comptech preferred.

Thanks,

 

You're trying to bolt into the swaybar mounts, like the stock and Saner bars. However, the Comptech bar mounts directly to the subframe. Remove the black swaybar mounts and you should be good to go.

 

Hmm? trying to recall the job ~2 years ago..

The 10mm are the bolts that hold the sway bar to the bracket on. You need to remove the bracket (the 12mm bolts) and The Comptech mounts bolt directly to the frame where the original bracket was.

So take the L-shaped bracket off also. Does this help?

And yes I think 89ft-lbs is correct.

 

That's odd. Have you tried simply threading one of the bolts into the frame with out and mounting hardware to get in the way? Could it be as simple as you're not aligning the components well enough to start the threading?

Good luck. I've had my comptech bar for a year and I LOVE it. During the winter I set it to the losest and deal with a little push on the street. Come auto-x season, it goes to full stiff and I enjoy r compounds.

 

Thanks for the help guys. Yes it looks like I was a moron and forgot to complete step 2 of the instructions and completely remove the old mount. Silly me I thought that the Comptech would mount similar to the Saner and the stock swabars. Now I can't wait to get home and get this thing mounted.

Here's a few more questions:
1. Since the Comptech didn't come with new end links, am I correct in assuming that the Comptech uses the stock end links?
2. Would it make sense to try and use the beefier end links that come with the Saner or the McMaster Carr end links that can be used with a modified Saner?
3. Will beefier end links fit with stock shocks, with aftermarket shocks?
4. The instructions appear to show that the lower 'A' frame end of the end-link mounts from the back to the front, is that the most correct mounting?

 

I don't know if it's possible to use the adjustable endlinks, but you should use them if you can. This will allow you to get rid of any preload.

 

I am assuming you are talking about the comptech adjustable bar. The McMaster Carr or the stock endlinks work well with stock shocks and with JRZ's. You are correct on point 4.

 

Just finished up on the Comptech swaybar install. Thanks for the help! Once I removed ALL of the stock mounting hardware, the installation became straight-forward.

One hint: I used a floor jack to hold the sway bar close to the position needed to finagle the mounting bolts into the holes. It was pretty tricky holding 2 mounting pieces, a bolt, and the swaybar, while trying to turn the bolts into the frame, all the time worried about stripping out frame mounted threads.

Here's some pictures. The angles of the end-links looks good to me, what do you guys think?
Driver side end-link view from rear
Driver side end-link view from front
Driver side Comptech mount
Passenger side end-link view from rear
Passenger side end-link view from front
Passenger side Comptech mount
End-link comparison stock to those provided with third generation Saner
Stock swaybar with ALL the mounting hardware off the car
Dow Corning grease used on urethane Comptech bushings

 

Cool. Now when those endlinks develop some play and start to rattle you can use the stock links.

Is there any advantage to using the aftermarket links besides dialing out the unlikely situation of preload?

 

People have reported breakage but I'm still on the originals with a Comptech bar on full stiff. Been that way for 3+ years including street use, potholes and all...