Whiteline RSB Install - DIY

[Hajoca]

Estimated time to install: 45 min.

Real Time to install: 2 hours.

Tools:
Jack and stands ofcourse
Ratchet handle and Socket set (12mm and 14mm sockets used alot).
14mm Combination wrench (or 14mm open end or box end)
5mm Allen key.

Pliers
prybar
Penetrating oil.
Antiseize paste
rubber compatable grease (I used a poly urea - metal free grease)

New swaybar, nice colour too!

A couple of touch ups where the powder coating was injured to prevent corrosion.


Here is a view of the endlinks to the old swaybar. Apply penetrating oil generously and let it sit (I tapped them a bit) and then to the strut mount bushing retainer fasteners, muffler to pipe connector fasteners (this caused me the grief).



Break the nut loose using allen key to hold the bolt still. I actually used the socket first to move the nut and bolt to break them free from the rust, which allows more penetrating oil to seep in there.

Remove the endlinks first. You do not have to take the endlink off the strut. I chose to do that and regrease the 4 joints of the endlinks this added 30 minutes to my install. The bottom joints get exposed to alot of snow, salt and water, so I wanted them to be clean.
Remove bootretaining clamp (spring)


Clean out old grease after turning boot inside out with brake cleaner. rotate them and clean again.


Hand pack with rubber compatable grease and reassemble. do not damage the boot. If you are clumsy, use tapped pliers. I just fed the spring back on.

Undo the strut mount clamps.

I could not get the old bar out without removing the exhaust pipe with the car up off the floor, or with the wheels on the ground.

The exhaust pipe to muffler bolts were seized with rust... I could not break them, thus more lost time.

I took off the mufler mount bracket from teh passenger side rear wheel well (2 bolts)


Then slipped off the rear muffler mount.

Dont let it fall to the floor, the front rubber mount may break if the elongation is too much. I used my tool case and some wood.


I used the grease that came with the bushings supplied with the sway bar. If you had to take off the rubber exhaust pipe mounts, slap some grease onto the pins there too.

I did not recieve the keepers (small ring clamps and padding to keep the sway bar from shifting side to side)
I will get some 19mm hose and fit them in later.
Bolt the strut mount clamps onto the car. Then put the wheels on and lower the car.
Connect the endlinks and your done.

I used antiseize paste, and broke loose other fasteners while I was doing this. I am going to change my struts out soon too.
Only torque to 70% to 75% of specified torque if you use antiseize paste, otherwise you will over stress the fastners.


Here you can see the rusted muffler flange bolts:


Thanks to George of Raptor Racing.

[WhiteRabbit]

[skewe]

nice write up

[nodrogkam]

good write up
wow you took apart a lot of things. all i did was unbolt the old rsb and one of the exhaust heat shields by the gas tank and that was it.

if i had to redo it, it'd take about 15 minutes.

[Hajoca]

I did look at that, but only after bumping my new swaybar into it a few times.

The nuts holding that on are very rusted on mine, and would need a few days of soaking with penetrating oil.

Recheck the torque of the endlink nuts. I torqued mine to 10ftlb during initial install. Yesterday I checked and the driverside endlink had loosened a bit. The WL swaybar is considerably thicker at the mounting hole, so there are less threads past the nut. Threadlock or even a lock washer may be required.

[raptorracing]

Wow...what a great write up...I'm going to have to save this page as I've had a few question on Camry installs...thanks a lot.

Your last remaining bushing is in...check your pm box...thanks again!!!

[muminiasty]

what is the purpose of replacing swaybar doesn't new one do the same thing??

[nodrogkam]

Originally Posted by muminiasty

what is the purpose of replacing swaybar doesn't new one do the same thing??

Whiteline sway is thicker than stock sway. Results in less understeer and increases rear stability when cornering.

www.wikipedia.com
look up sway bar. They have the ability to really change the way a vehicle handles.

[muminiasty]

where can i buy front and rear bar for camry 97

[raptorracing]

If you let me know your chassis code I can let you know what's available for your car. 97 was the transition year in whitelines catalog so want to make sure I get it right.

[JCamry94]

Well, there's whiteline and then there's TRD (and im sure others?), TRD is stiffer that the other and is adjustable.

Ebay, then google!

[Jaggrey]

Originally Posted by raptorracing

If you let me know your chassis code I can let you know what's available for your car. 97 was the transition year in whitelines catalog so want to make sure I get it right.

Would you be able to tell me where and which front & rear sway bars I would need for my 98 Avalon?

[Darchrow Enigma]

is the whiteline kit all i need (as far as hardware goes) or will i need new "brackets"

i'm not even sure what these brackets are, but i came across that word somewhere and i was wondering if i needed it in addition to the bushings.

[raptorracing]

Originally Posted by Darchrow Enigma

is the whiteline kit all i need (as far as hardware goes) or will i need new "brackets"

i'm not even sure what these brackets are, but i came across that word somewhere and i was wondering if i needed it in addition to the bushings.

The whitelines only come with the bar to chassis bracket/bushings...you need to re-use your factory endlinks.

[Darchrow Enigma]

so... are bushings and brackets the same thing?

i can just keep using my factory "endlinks" yes?