Modifying your car’s suspension by upgrading or adding a rear sway bar can improve its handling. However, installing a larger sway bar can damage the subframe. ASR manufactures three kits that can address this issue. Which one you choose depends on the make and model of your particular vehicle. The company produces subframe braces for the Civic EK, Civic EG and Integra DA.
Block the front tires to ensure that the car cannot roll forward or back. Jack up the rear of the vehicle and place it on jack stands. Please refer to your vehicle’s owners manual for information on proper jacking procedure and where to place jack stands. Leave the jack in place after placing the jack stands, as it may catch the vehicle if the jack stands fail.
Remove the bracket that holds the current swaybar. Unbolt the ABS line bracket from the subframe and detach bolt connecting the end link to the swaybar. Spray the bolts and welded nuts that attach the lower control arm to the subframe with penetrating oil. The penetrating oil will take some time to work. Please follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the amount of time to wait before proceeding.
Remove the bolts holding the lower control arm with an impact wrench. Alternatively, use a socket wrench with a cheater bar to increase torque. The bolt will work free of the welded nut. Pinch the bolt with pliers and pull it out while turning it counter-clockwise. Remove the bolt connecting the swaybar and end link. Unbolt the lower bolt that attaches the ABS line to the subframe. Remove any other bolts attaching the bracket for the swaybar to the subframe.
Drill out the bolt holes that attached the sway bar to the subframe. Put a drop of motor oil on the drill to prevent overheating and use light pressure on the drill. Paint the holes you have drilled with touch-up paint or rust inhibitor. Wait for it to dry before proceeding.
Align the front mounting plate so that the flat side is facing towards the rear of the car. Insert the lower control arm bolt through the bottom of the plate. Thread it all the way through the plate, the lower control arm and the subframe. Tighten the nut, but do not tighten it all the way.
Bolt the brace to the front mounting plate using small Allen key bolts and a 1/8-inch hex key. Tighten each bolt until the brace is firmly in place. Position the rear mounting plate with your hand so that the non-threaded hole lines up with the threaded hole in the brace. Attach the rear mounting plate to the brace by threading the bolt that came with your kit through the hole in the brace. Continue threading the bolt through the subframe and into the hole in the rear mounting plate. Fasten it with a nut from the kit, but do not tighten it all the way.
Insert another long bolt from the kit through the top hole of the brace. Attach a nut to the other end, but do not tighten it all the way. Tighten the lower bolt and bolt, and then the upper bolt. This will ensure that the bracket is lined up properly. Your vehicle is now ready to install a new sway bar.
