Celica Forums General Discussion Exterior Anyone installed sways themselves?

Hey. I've got a set of the Hotchkis sway bars. I've read the insall guide on here several times. Some of the pics don't show shit. Is this something I should attempt to do on my own? I have access to a lift, and just about every tool know to man... Any advice is appreciated.

Depends on how good mechanically you are. What have you installed before? The front is difficult.

Have at it bro, i say DIY untill you don't understand it.

I got both my front and rear installed for 150 so if you look around I am sure you can find a price like that. If you just want the experience or enjoyment from it go for it

I'm so so mechanically. I can do a shifter swap in less than 30 min. I'm just worried about droppin the engine out, or something dumb like that. The guy that did my springs moved to Alabama. We was gonna put em in, but I did't get my car back till after he left.

i hear the rear is a breeze and the fronts a bitch

doesnt really help but a heads up

Took me about 35mins for the rear and a little over 1 1/2 to do the front..plus i had some help.

the front one you need to remove the rear and side engine mount and then tilt the engine forward using a jack, then you need to undo the crossmember...

not an easy job.

Did you guys have air tools, and a lift? Should I lift it all the way like I'm gonna change the oil, or should I just bring it a few feet off the ground, and be on my back?

I didnt have any air tools..but make sure you have a breaker bar just in case..if you can get your hands on an air tool that would be much help. Yeah you should lift it up like your changeing oil..but make sure you have jack stands on both sides so that its stable..take off your rims too. Also if you can, get another person to help out (moral support or whatever) Good luck

I've done a set of fronts and yeah the front and right engine mounts have to be removed...The rear is super easy...After it was all done I kinda wish the guy would have taken it to a shop

Thanks. By right, you mean the passenger side engine mount? I didn't see that in the install guide...

When we did them we put the engine on chains, jacked the car up, and undid all 3 mounts...then we dropped the crossmember, and installed them...it really is a gigantic pain in the ass

I'm going by the install guide that's here. :trying not to sound stupid, but: What's the crossmember? I'm not a mech...

i wouldnt do this myself...

...YUPS THE front(trd) r a real BITCH...HATED IT!!!!! but they do make a big diff...so its o.k.

thats exactly how to do it right

I've done a couple of 7th gens and on the front it is IMPERITIVE that you follow the install guide to the letter and drop the engine cradle/crossmember or you will damage the steering column.

^^^ yeah/...like I said...after we got done I wish he would have just taken it to a garage

i did..

http://plaza.umin.ac.jp/~satoshi/mod211.html
sorry, its japanese, but pics will help you.

Done! Took me about 3 hours. For anyone that plans on doing this themselves, there's something you need to know. Use BOTH the install guide, AND the instructions that come with it. I was trying to just use the install guide and got a little stumped. Once I opened the instructions, it made perfect sense. All in all, not TOO hard. Cost me $12 for the use of the bay, and saved me $$$. I'm glad I attempted it myself. I only had to remove the rear engine mount. Not the front, or the sides. My rear was a little dif, cause I couldn't undo my exhaust. It's not stock, so there were no bolts... I managed tho. Thanks for all the advice.