[TrevorS]

Originally Posted by ScionFred

It's been quite some time since I installed my sway bar so I'll take your word for the ridge on the outer shock mounting bracket. I don't recall noticing it when I did my installation.

Presuming you torqued the bolt to spec (turning the bolt, not the nut) with the orientation switched, I don't know how well the ridge will have survived. All torque rotation had to take place at the inside, none at the outside. As far as noticing the ridge during bar install, there's no reason you would notice it unless you specifically looked for it. As I described above, I didn't understand the nature of the mentioned lock, and so I made a point of investigating. The up front clue was the notch on the nut, but many or most probably wouldn't even notice that, let alone a ridge on the outside of the bracket.

Originally Posted by ScionFred

If I have time tommorrow, I'll look for the old TRD instructions that came with my sway bar. I'm 99.9% sure that they either stated to reverse the bolt or clearly showed the bolts reversed in a diagram. Not saying it's the best way, just that it's the way TRD said to do it before they changed their minds, changed the instructions and later changed the entire sway bar.

It really makes no difference where that instruction came from and it really doesn't concern me. What did concern me was a proliferation of home made pictorial "Do-It-Yourself" threads and posts that were activally disseminating BAD information as correct procedure. My basic purpose was to counter it with GOOD information that would prevent people from having nut loosening problems on their bar installs. Where whatever misinformation originated really isn't too important.

As I said above, any time a nut is tightened against a moving surface without having a secure lock (cotter pin for example), it's virtually a guarantee the nut will come loose.

Originally Posted by JambaJuice

I think that you may be correct with the TRD instuctions on the bolts being reversed...

The Rear Sway bar was definitely worth the money for me...however I am very curious to see what and how the new version will differ from the old version...

I can only be certain that when I downloaded the TRD sway bar instructions from Sparks in early February 2008, they did not say to reverse the bolt. If at some time previous to that a version said to reverse the bolt, the techwriter who prepared it really screwed up.

I have seen posts where people told others to reverse the bolt specifically because it makes for an easier install (despite knowingly being counter the instructions). Hopefully, that kind of bad advice is not being attributed to TRD. I even saw where one person (spring 2008 if I remember correctly) had the bar installed at the dealer, and the tech reversed the bolts, resulting in nut loosening within days -- that was the dealer tech at fault, not TRD. I even saw a post by a Scion Tech recommending reversing the bolts! No question, reversing the bolts definitely eases the installation, however, it also sabotages the installation.

[ScionFred]

Originally Posted by JambaJuice

Thanks or the link...sort of off topic but how much of a difference if any would the Hotchkis front sway bar be???...

Someone who's driven both setups could say better but I'm pretty sure that the Hotchkis bars are stiffer, reduce body lean more but also stiffen the ride somewhat. For a daily driver, just adding the TRD rear should be a good setup but personally I'd have a hard time coughing up $223 for just a rear sway bar.

Trevor, you make a good case. Your argument makes perfect sense to me, it really does. Maybe I just got lucky but after almost a year on the car, my rear shock bolts are still very tight, despite being reversed. In fact, it would take an impact gun or long breaker bar to break the nuts loose. The serrations on those lock nuts really dig into the sway bar metal.

I actually attempted to loosen the bolts a few minutes ago and think I may have found the cause of the "loose nut" problem. I could not get a socket wrench on the bolt head with the wheel still in place. This reminded me that I used a box end wrench to tighten my bolts and my 25+ years of amateur wrenching to guesstimate the correct torque. Given that the wheels must be removed to properly torque those bolts, what do you think the odds are that many people torqued the nut instead? Given the locking serrations on the nut, I'd imagine that 67ft/lbs of resistance could be acheived with the bolt still quite loose.

Just a thought. It still makes sense that the bolt head should be against the potentially moving sway bar and the nut against the stationary shock mount. I'll take a closer look tomorrow, weather and time permitting.

Peace.

[TrevorS]

Thanks Fred, I appreciate it And I'm glad you never had this problem. I just really didn't want people to encounter this problem due to acting on flawed information. If TRD screwed up somewhere back there in their documentation, so be it. However their documentation has been correct at least since early February 2008 and it's important people understand the truly correct procedure and hopefully even why it is correct!

My sway bar has so far served me well, and it was my very first mod installed roughly a week after I picked up my xB2. My next was Scion Security and that was followed by various other items. As a general reminder, however the bolts are oriented in the suspension at purchase of a new car, preserve that orientation! It's virtually certain to have been for a reason.

[ScionFred]

Originally Posted by TrevorS

Thanks Fred, I appreciate it And I'm glad you never had this problem. I just really didn't want people to encounter this problem due to acting on flawed information. If TRD screwed up somewhere back there in their documentation, so be it. However their documentation has been correct at least since early February 2008 and it's important people understand the truly correct procedure and hopefully even why it is correct!

My sway bar has so far served me well, and it was my very first mod installed roughly a week after I picked up my xB2. My next was Scion Security and that was followed by various other items. As a general reminder, however the bolts are oriented in the suspension at purchase of a new car, preserve that orientation! It's virtually certain to have been for a reason.

Thank you as well for pointing out the potential problems with reversing the shock bolt. Like you, my first mod was the sway bar, although I also got the TRD axle back at the same time. My next mod was a custom CAI followed by the Scion security system, front strut brace, Infinity speakers, custom underseat 10" ED sub box. Lately I've been going a little nuts with Fig grills, fog lights, Rumion window visors, header and NST UD crank pulley.

I'm having a lot of fun modding and driving my XB2 and hope you are too.

Peace.

[SPIKEnTR]

I installed my rsb in about 20 minutes. Mine is the new style and when I installed it I just loosely nutted it onto the shocks and then just swung it up into place in the beam. One note, I did reverse the bolts. If you look at the "parts for sale" thread you will see the sway bar I bought. It was installed by the dealership and right or wrong THEY reversed the bolts. I am in agreement with the thought of shearing forces on the bolt and may reverse mine. The rsb immediately changed the handling of the car. I am doing the strut brace (TRD) as soon as I feel I've found the best price. Has anybody seen the stabilizer bar end links thread (Energy Suspension bushings) and have an opinion on it. I think I'll be doing it asap, or when I install my strut brace.

[blg2ad]

Gents: A couple more questions... If I have one done at a dealer, it is theft on their part, so...

If you do it yourself, what COULD reasonably happen??? If it just breaks, so be it, I'm sure the manufacturer will just give you a new one. If it breaks and rips up your undercarriage, oh no!

Also, the rear looks pretty easy to install, even without jacks or a lift. Does the front one REALLY do much after you have the rear in? Is the front hard to install??? Links?

Thanks much!

[SPIKEnTR]

I did the rear with the car sitting on the ground, no problem. I don't think it would be the same if I was 200lbs! Just ordered the front today from trdsparks. They have a pdf showing the install. I looked under the hood and think the bar will drop in without all the cowl removal stuff they dictate. Guess I'll find out soon!

[blg2ad]

I'm a little over 200 LBS, but have put myself in tight working spaces on tanks.

Please post pics on the front!

[ScionBrian]

My dealer only charged me $250 for the sway bar including install, only $20 more than I could have gotten it for myself. I noticed a difference immediately and feel that it was definitely worth the money.

[SPIKEnTR]

I am happy doing all my own work so far. Every piece I've installed has made me understand the car more. I followed the instructions on the strut brace and it was a smooth install. BTW, the strut bar is a must if you like what the rear sway did. I couldn't be happier. Not sure yet if i'm gonna do springs...guess the holiday season will have to pass before I consider that one.