GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Does anyone know of a link for instructions for front sway bar install instructions?, or does anyone who has ordered sway bars have a copy of their instructions they could scan and post? I'd like to order a set if I can install the front myself. I have an engine hoist that I could use to "lift" (support) the engine during the install if that's all that's needed. Thanks,Carl

Hotchkis Tuning has them in .PDF format http://www.hotchkistuning.com/pdf/Celic ... %20Set.pdf The engine cradle DOES have to be lowered to get it on, so I most likely will get mine installed by a shop. If you have the tools and the means, go for it.

Thanks. Would the Celica be roughly the same as the Vibe/Matrix?

Not too sure. I had a hard time finding anything on the vibe/matrix install, and the Celica instructions gave me a good idea of what I was up against. Is Hotchkis the only company with a front sway bar right now?

TRD also makes a pair, but I didn't see any on-line instructions on their site.

doesnt progress make a front swaybar?

Make sure that you grease the bushings before you install the bar. The tech at Big O did not And they Squeaked on speed bumps. I was able to get enough grease with the zirck fitings but they are really hard to get to. I used the blue water proof grease for boats. The Hotchkis bars are great!

quote:doesnt progress make a front swaybar?Last I checked, no. I have their rear bar which seemed to tighten it up a bit, but I'd like to go ahead and put on a front bar also.I'd REALLY like to see some struts come out for the Vibe/Matrix!!!

quote:I'd REALLY like to see some struts come out for the Vibe/Matrix!!!Right on! No reason for me to change to those Eibach Pro-Kit springs until I know I can get some good struts. Want to do it only once. Plan on getting those eibach sway bars now though, since everyone with them says they really help out with the "wandering" problem, and I don't want just a rear bar.

Doesn't the vibe have a front sway bar already?

quote:Doesn't the vibe have a front sway bar already?Yup, but the aftermarket bars are thicker and engineered stronger than the stock bars. The stock bars do a nice job, but aftermarket bars make a big difference for the better.Here is a pic of an aftermarket front sway bar on a Matrix:http://nicksimkins.com/vibe/vibe-matrix ... -bar.jpgIf you look under your vehicle, you will see a similar bar (black in color).

Is a swar bar change out the kinda project a novice DIYer can do, or is that something better left to the pros?

quote:Is a swar bar change out the kinda project a novice DIYer can do, or is that something better left to the pros?Well if you have all the right equipment to perform the install, then it should be able to be done DIY.Check out the install instructions posted above (2nd post by Flip-Side). You will need to lower the engine cradle in order to install the bar. This isn't easy unless you know what you are doing and have the right equipment.

Lower the wha? I think I might just have to stick with stock on that one...lol...

Someday I may get a set and just pay somebody to install them - the front one anyway. TRD had a great sale going this month, which is why all my mods are that brand. I'm trying to learn about the TRD swaybars vs. Hotckis' offering, to see which is bigger, better, lighter or if there is no difference, in which case price will rule. I wanna install another file server before I drop $500+ on a sway bar mod though... My regular job pays for the house, retirement plan, and all those family budget things. My moon-light network consulting biz funds my mods.

The Hotchkis bars are on sale right now too. So is their strut tower brace with the built-in camber plates.The Ground Control adjustable suspension system comes with Eibach springs as part of the package. From what I've read on here, a Japanese aftermarket company named Tein will be making a spring and strut kit for the Vibe/Matrix very soon. They're supposed to be a very good quality product.For ragingfish--changing the rear sway bar should be a snap. If you can turn a wrench, you should be able to easily change it. To change the front one, the engine must be lifted and the subframe that supports the engine (called the engine cradle) must be lowered to get to it. That one will be quite a difficult operation and probably not a job you can do yourself at home unless your personal tool supply makes every neighbor within 10 miles jealous and you worked as a mechanic for several years somewhere.

quote:Thanks. Would the Celica be roughly the same as the Vibe/Matrix? They are roughly the same, from what I understand, but some parts of the directions will probably be different. Hotchkis only lists the directions for installing the sway bars on a Celica online. If you email them they could probably send you the instructions for the Matrix. Or ask J.C., the rep from Hotchkis who is occasionally on here.

I think I may be too late for the TRD sale - I think it ended at the end of March. I should have just bought it and had it installed. I wanted to go with TRD so I could go to the Toyota dealer for the install.

Hotchkis still has their sway bar set on sale on their website. They are advertising it for $299.95. That is for the front and rear sway bars. I don't know what the price was for the TRD ones, I'm sure it was less, but I believe that the Hotchkis ones should be some of the best you can find on the market.Here is the link to the Hotchkis sale page: http://www.hotchkistuning.com/frames/02 ... matrix.htm