So I'm trying to replace the stock swaybar on my 2001 Z3 3.0L with an H&R bar. The Haynes manual says that after the bolts are off, you can maneuver the bar out from under the car.
Has anyone actually done this? As far as I can tell, the muffler has to come out before I have a chance of getting it out. And even then, I'm not sure. What am I missing?  |
| Reply » Replace rear swaybar |
The best thing to do is get it up on a lift. After you detatch the two endbolts there are two bolts that hold the bushing/mounts to the frame. At that point you should be able to drop the ends and maneuver the bar out without having to take the muffler out. Someone else may have a different take on this, but that's how I've done it.
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| Reply » Replace rear swaybar |
Tried it with the car on jackstands. It seems like there's just no way the ends of the bar will clear the axles so I can twist them down and then work the bar out. The battery well and muffler stop the bar from moving back far enough to get the ends clear. If I twist is sideways to try to clear one end at a time, the left end gets all hung up around the muffler. Maybe I've just got to mess with it some more.
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| Reply » Replace rear swaybar |
I did this once, and iirc I removed the exhaust and wiggled it out through the wheel well area. It's like playing with paper clips if you know what I mean.
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| Reply » Replace rear swaybar |
Easiest is to drop the exhaust.
It WILL come out without doing so. It took me a good bit of time to get mine out, but after lots of prodding, prying, hammering, etc, it just popped out and fell to the ground.
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| Reply » Replace rear swaybar |
And so you have to hammer in the new one, which is thicker and less flexible? I've read here that this end of the car cracks easily.  Is it better to get the links off first?
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Replace rear swaybar