VR6 swaybar install

VR6 Swaybar Install
Time: 3 hours depending on your skill.
Objective:
The VR6 swaybar is about 1/3 thicker, and it feels about twice as strong. This will decrease sway or roll in turning quite nicely. I noticed a big difference in the amount of sway the car had, and it did not increase understeer.

Tools:
1. Sockets: 19, 17, 13 mm. U-joints and deep well sockets are helpful.
2. Socket wrenches including breakover bar.
3. Penetrating oil and silicone lubricant.
4. A cut off wheel, even the attachment for a high speed drill works.
5. 2 jacks and 2 jack stands. 6. And of course, the Bentley manual.

Parts:
1. VR6 swaybar!
2. Bushings from the VR6 swaybar
3. If your subframe bolts are rusty, replace them.

Getting the swaybar
When MK3 guys upgrade their swaybar guess what they have left over? That's right a nice fat VR6 swaybar for your MK2. So the MK3 classifieds is a perfect place to find one.


Here is a comparison of the stock MK2 and the stock VR6 swaybars:

Notice how the VR6 swaybar is shaped differently? Well the only modification you need to make is to cut the ends off at the green line, otherwise they will hit your CV boots. Theres a bend right at the blue line and it is right where you should cut it off.

Removing your stock swaybar
Start by jacking the front end of your MK2 up until the wheels are about an inch off the ground. Once it is jacked up, position your jack stands under another hard point and set it down on the jack stands. You will need the jacks later to support the subframe.
Now remove both front wheels, at this point you'll be able to access the swaybar. This is a good time to use penetrating oil on the appropriate bolts. Here's pics of the bolts we'll be messing with:






Before going any further unbolt your steering rack! There are 4/13mm bolts on the subframe that are difficult to remove, but you must completely remove the nut so that the steering rack is detached from the subframe.

Now position your jacks under the subframe on the left and right, raise the jacks so they are just barely touching the subframe.

Warning: Do not drop the engine on your head.
At this point you can remove the 4/19 mm bolts that hold the subframe onto the unibody.

Before dropping the subframe it's a good idea to unbolt and remove the current swaybar's end links. There's one 19 mm nut on the bottom:


Note:At this point I had the strut assembly detached from the hub because I was re-doing that also. You should be able to do this with the strut still attached, but the control arm won't move as freely.

The subframe can now be lowered by slowly letting down the jacks. Take it down about 2 inches, or far enough so that the swaybar and it's bushings can slide out. Before the swaybar will come out you have to unbolt and remove the metal clasps that attaches it to the subframe:

You can't really see it in this pic, but you'll know what I mean.

Preparing the VR6 swaybar
The VR6 swaybar needs the ends trimmed back a couple inches otherwise it will hit the CV boot like this:

That's a problem...
Sloppy cut, but it works!

Also you may need to trim the swaybar's rubber bushings and end links to make them small enough.

Installing the new swaybar
Before trying to install the new swaybar slip the old end links from your stock unit on the ends of the VR6 swaybar. Lay the swaybar under the car. Spray silicone lubricant on the rubber bushings, and on the bracket the bushings slide into. Make sure the metal clasp is in position and try to slide the swaybar and rubber bushing into the bracket one side at a time. This is the most difficult part, but theres really no easy way to explain how to do it. Bolt the metal clasp down once the swaybar is in.

After the swaybar is attached to the subframe you can attach the end links to the control arm.
Now the swaybar is fully attached!

The installed swaybar may touch the control arm like this:

Wrapping it up
Jack the subframe back into position and bolt it to the unibody. If it is out of alignment you may have to use a lever to get the holes to line up.
Don't forget to bolt the steering rack down again!

Project done
Installing a swaybar on a MK2 is more difficult than it should be, but the swaybar makes a big difference in handling.

Have fun!

Doug