Rear Sway bar inquiry

So I didn't want to necrothread http://www.civicwagon.com/showthread.php?1807-(EE-EY-EF)-Rear-Sway-Bar-fabrication-from-stock-parts/page2

But I have a question regarding the setup. Namely if I can avoid cobbling my own end links, I'd prefer to just buy some. I am doing the integra sway bar just like that, but part of my question is are the end links needing to be that long to connect because of the way the sway bar needs positioned? As in if the sway bar would tilted down more would it be able to line up still or is it needing to be pretty flat to fit in there.

To me it looked like maybe it was set where it was because of being in a 4WD and needing clearance. I just have a 2WD, will be getting some after market LCAs and wanted to get some end links that go with them.

I might just have to wait until I do the LCAs, see how everything lines up and then do the end links accordingly. Would just be nice to be able to get it all set ahead of time.

The image I'm referencing with my question is

512.jpg

It just seems like these might be too short:

513.jpg

I wasn't able to find many threads using the integra rear sway, and the ones I did seem to be broken due to it being pre migration content so it's linked to the old forum.

Apologies if this was covered somewhere and I missed it. When I get all the parts sorted I plan on doing a full write up on it as a sort of refresh to the aforementioned thread. Not with 100% stock parts of course, but at least with a known working sway bar that fits.

Comments

  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    You can buy universal adjustable endlinks from companys such as Whiteline
    514.jpg
    You just cut them to desired length
  • greenteagodgreenteagod Moderator
    Interesting. I may have to do something like that. I think tomorrow I'll go snag a couple longer bolts and see just where I can position this and clear the exhaust. I'm sure there's some wiggle room since it needs shimmed anyway to drop it a bit lower. How much shimming can reasonably be done I guess is the question.

    Thanks for the quick reply.
  • gearhead313gearhead313 Band Wagon
    I've built a fair amount of custom sway bar setups, since i work on a race team and in a speed shop.. The first thing you need to determine is that the link is vertical and around a 90* angle to the bar when at ride height. Once you determine that, then measure the length you need. Either you can build rod end style adjustable links or scour for an oem link that happens to be the right length. The actual length the link is doesnt matter.
  • greenteagodgreenteagod Moderator
    Thank you Gearhead. I was wondering what type of play I had in those regards. Got a break from work coming up in the next couple days so I think I'll mock fit the bar since I have that at least. Not the LCAs or any of that, but I can at least get an idea of positioning and see where/if it would interfere with a muffler, etc.

    I think any adjustable end links would give enough play given some of the slightly varied nature of the mount points in different LCAs, so I think my plan from here is to figure out just how many shims I'll need to put between the frame and the stock body mounts that were pulled, along with the bar, from the integra. Then I'll post that information so if anyone else is doing this they have an idea of what amount they need to shim for good clearance and at that point roughly what length LCA they'll need if they're doing something similar.

    From what I've read this 16mm bar makes a good amount of difference and it's pretty adequate for our vehicles, so I hope that's the case here. Thanks again to the both of you.
  • greenteagodgreenteagod Moderator
    All right so I did some test fitting. Not sure what the difference is back there with regard to 2WD vs 4WD but that person's photo I referenced in the first post, I didn't need to put any spacers in there and it has virtually the same alignment. The ends rest a little lower than his do, I did a couple measurements and it's between 3-5" depending on how I have the sway bar angled. So to me it doesn't seem the spacers are necessary.

    Maybe they are and I'm just not realizing it yet. The only thing I could think is if it bottomed out entirely and the bar might pivot up enough to hit the spare tire well.

    So question there, how much gap would one want between the bar and the pan there, as the struts/springs being compressed rotates the bar upwards and could potentially hit.

    Here's the amount of gap I have with the bar at about the positioning I think I'd want it.

    600.jpg

    If this isn't enough, then yeah looks like it might need some spacers in there.

    601.jpg

    And here's it's hard to tell from the angle but the center of the LCA is at the 11" mark and the center of the sway bar end is 7-1/2" so roughly 3-1/2" distance and I can change that by about an inch and a half upwards before it starts hitting the pan. So maybe that in itself does mean I need to put some spacers in there since a compression of 1-1/2" beyond where it just rests normally would cause some mechanical interference.

    602.jpg
  • greenteagodgreenteagod Moderator
    LCAs are on their way in. I have a feeling I will need to shim the brackets just a touch to give me another inch or so of clearance so the sway bar doesn't rock up into the pan.
  • All right, got the function 7 LCAs and End Links in. Beyond the work of redoing the rear suspension, I'll need to get some custom sized bushings to fit the Integra rear sway bar, so I wanted to see if anyone else already had a solution before I do too much shopping on it. It looks like the diameter on the end of the sway bar is 19mm. It had a rubber bushing in there with a metal sleeve, and the ID on the sleeve is 8mm. The bolts for the F7 end links are 10mm.

    So my question here is should I do a solid mount, just make or have some made out of something like delrin. Should I try to source a rubber or polyurethane mount and corresponding 10mm sleeve? Or should I get just a 10mm sleeve and do a fill with something like the windo-weld and have my own poly bushing in there.

    I've checked energy suspension and didn't see anything right off the bat that looks like it'll fit.
  • Looks like I'm gonna be going with Delrin. The guy who made my shift knob for me is able to do these, so that sounds like a plan in my book.
  • gearhead313gearhead313 Band Wagon
    I'd imagine prothane or energy would have something. I wouldnt make them out of delrin, even a low durometer is going to be too stiff IMO. rubber or poly is best.
  • I've done a bit of digging with those guys, so far nothing that fits nicely. I can get the delrin ones for cheap. If they're too stiff I can always swap em out. And this LCA does have three settings H M S I guess that's Hard Medium and Soft? So I got a bit of play there.
  • If they're not wretched I might have a few extra sets to sell. Hopefully they aren't too massively harsh. =D
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