sway bars

[GM_muscle]

what is the best way to set up a sway bar? i put a rear sway bar on my s10 that came from a xtreme and was just wundering if i tighten all the bolts well it is still in the air or tighten everything with the truck on the ground?

[David Pozzi]

Tighten up everything but the end links. Put the truck on it's wheels, and verify that the end links of the bar are equal distance from the end link bushing. You don't want to preload the bar when the end links are tightened. You can shim behind the end link bushings to even them up if needed.
Some bars have an angle problem at nrmal ride height, you may want to torque those to a lower value or it may cause a bind.
David
David

[Eric Howell]

The ZQ8 bar on S-10s doesn't use standard end links. They have bushings more like shock eye bushings. The are also non adjustable. You will be fine just tightening them while it's in the air.

[Norm Peterson]

Got a picture or a sketch? I'm curious as to what this arrangement looks like, and how it accommodates axle movement in some sort of arc.


Norm

[GM_muscle]

what about the front? i have replaced all the bushings with poly bushinf and the ens links are same as the stock ones. will i have to change the end links after i lowered the front 3".

[Eric Howell]

For the front you will have to bolt the arm on and put the truck on the ground. You will want the "legs" on parallel with the ground, then measure for new end links.

Here is a pic of the rear sway bars on the ZQ8 trucks.

[Eric Howell]

You said a 3" drop. If you are doing 2" spindles and a 1" spring you will need a 3/4" or 1" shorter end link for the front. You may be able to cut down the sleeve on the ones you already have as long as it's that kind and you enough threads. Also check you clearances with you tie rods.

[GM_muscle]

yeah i have 2'' drop spindles for 98 -newer blazers and 1" spring from bell tech.