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Help installing sway bars

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by chrisaw, Apr 6, 2019.

  1. chrisaw

    chrisaw Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey folks!

    I made a post here a while ago asking about sway bar mods and long story short - they were a nightmare to track down and I had to import one but I now have:

    - Toyota Corolla T-Sport 1.8 vvti front anti roll bar 2004

    - Progress Toyota Corolla 2008 FWD Rear anti-sway bar

    I really have two questions:

    1. Are these both the correct items? I took a gamble on #1 because I saw it on eBay in the UK. On #2 I'm fairly sure it is correct but just checking. Had to import this. $$$$$ :/

    2. The rear sway bar seems simple enough to install but how on Earth do I install the front one? I read about sway bar links, bushings, all kinds of stuff. All I have is the bar - do I need different "links"?

    Any help here would be awesome guys - I'm not a mechanic but I'm used to tinkering with tech. I may end up taking it to a garage for the front ones but I need to know I have everything I'll need.

    Thanks in advance and for the awesome help I've had already so far!!
     
  2. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    The rear though not difficult requires a lot of torque. I used a floor jack bar on my breaker bar, 3ft long. Lol
    The front required lowering the sub frame to access it and remove replace it. I believe mine was a 2003 Corolla sway bar. I replaced the end links and bushings while I was at it. Alignment was done after as well. Stiffened up the whole car with both bars swapped. Rear is a joke.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  3. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    you will need new frame bushings for the front bar because it is a different diameter than the stock bar. it is critical that you re-install the front sub-frame exactly where it was before you lowered it, or the alignment will be way off. I spray paint the ears where it mounts to the body. the paint marks give you a perfect reference when you re-install it. but you will still need an alignment. rear is super easy to replace; it is recommended to use better bolts with the new bar. the oe bolts seem to loosen up after driving for a while.
     
    SFO likes this.
  4. chrisaw

    chrisaw Junior Member

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    Location:
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
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    N/A
    Thanks guys - really appreciate that!

    Just to confirm a couple of things about the front bar:

    1. Do I need "bushings" designed for the bar type (Corolla 2014) or the car (Prius 2008)?

    2. Do I need "links" designed for the bar type (Corolla 2014) or the car (Prius 2008)?

    My current plan is to get these installed by someone who knows what they're doing but I want to make sure I have all of the needed parts.

    Thanks again!

    SM-N960F ?
     
  5. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    You need bushings for the bar your using, Corolla. I think the bracket same, just rubber different. But when I ordered mine it was with bracket and bushings. But noticed bracket was same.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  6. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    keep your old links of they're not worn. if they are get prius links.
     
  7. Andrew_Ph

    Andrew_Ph Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Just buy new bushings. Although my old ones would have worked. I used a front bar out of a Toyota Matrix. Basically you cant get the front sub-frame low enough to properly get in and out so i just had to leverage it down as much as possibly, then slam the bar in or out with a heavy tool. I mean one side, the first side was easy. Bolting the bushing covers down in the limited area on the back is incredibly difficult also, to get the bolt in there and start. needed to leverage down at the same time as turning with small box wrench. Of course the alignment and steering drift is way off now.