[dleccord]

Does it need to be installed at ride height?

[avocet]

no but you need the wheels level relative to one another or you will be fighting the sway bar.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by dleccord

Does it need to be installed at ride height?

Yes. You do this to ensure that the sway bar is oriented correctly at ride height. Sway bar orientation will affect the sway bars effectiveness.

[avocet]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

Yes. You do this to ensure that the sway bar is oriented correctly at ride height. Sway bar orientation will affect the sway bars effectiveness.

I don't quite understand... If you are installing a sway after you change your ride then then yes, you should check the clearances of the sway bar relative to the suspension components. The position of the sway will be determined by your end links. But tightening at ride height in not necessary.

I actually just swapped my front bar today, and had everything all tightened up no problems while still on jacks. When I lowered the car the sway just swiveled to the position it sits in while at ride height. My end links are not adjustable and tightening them at ride height will make no difference. The rod ends swivel and rotate. I have never seen an elastomeric rod end on end links that would necessitate tightening at ride height.

But then again I have been wrong before...

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by avocet

I don't quite understand... If you are installing a sway after you change your ride then then yes, you should check the clearances of the sway bar relative to the suspension components. The position of the sway will be determined by your end links. But tightening at ride height in not necessary.

I actually just swapped my front bar today, and had everything all tightened up no problems while still on jacks. When I lowered the car the sway just swiveled to the position it sits in while at ride height. My end links are not adjustable and tightening them at ride height will make no difference. The rod ends swivel and rotate. I have never seen an elastomeric rod end on end links that would necessitate tightening at ride height.

But then again I have been wrong before...

What sway bar do you use? I ask because the stock sway bay will most likely be bound and will not "swivel." Some stock sways bar bushings, depending on the cars package, are even glued to the bar. In those cases, you won't be able to connect the sway without jacking up the wheels.

Also, I was assuming he was talking about adjustable end links and aftermarket sways.

[avocet]

All sway bars will pivot at the bushings. If they don't they become torsion springs.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by avocet

All sway bars will pivot at the bushings. If they don't they become torsion springs.

Yes... like stock sway bars lol

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by dleccord

Does it need to be installed at ride height?

Yes, this is the correct way assuming you are referring to adjustable end links.

Adjustable end links length need to be adjusted while the suspension is loaded to ensure proper geometry of the sway bar. This is the "ideal" way.

Can you do it without the suspension loaded, yes but the geometry of the sway bar can potentially be off, reducing it's functionality depending on how long or short they are.

[avocet]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

Yes... like stock sway bars lol

Again, there just might be different set ups out there but my oem bar will definitely rotate inside the oem bushings.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by dleccord

Does it need to be installed at ride height?

This is true for both front & rear links.