Changing front sway bar on 1990 Carrera 4

[the917rocks]

This is my first time on here, but I really need some help.

I am trying to remove the front sway bar from my 1990 carrera 4 and I can't seem to figure out how to get it past the hub or the front differential for that matter. I have everything loosened on the bar itself, I am just stumped as to what to do next. Any help will be wonderfull!

the917rocks

[Don Plumley]

When you say you have everything loosened, do you have the bar brackets all the way off?

Taking it out of my C2 993 was pretty difficult - it came out the right side easier but was a combination of twists and turns like a puzzle. I imagine it is a bit harder with a C4.

[the917rocks]

I have the bar detached from the torsion bars and the clamps taken off, the bar is totally free floating. It looks like mine will be a puzzle as well.

I am mostly trying to avoid taking off as much as possible. Thanks for the input!

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by the917rocks

I have the bar detached from the torsion bars

I thought 964s were coil sprung?

Do you mean A-arm/control arm?

[Bill Verburg]

It's hard enough w/ a 2wd, I suspect that w/ awd the strut/upright might have to be r&r'd

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by Flieger

I thought 964s were coil sprung?

Do you mean A-arm/control arm?

Yes, it is and I'm pretty sure that's what he means.

[the917rocks]

I have to work on some of my technical terms. I finally figured out how to do it, although it may not be the preferred method!

I detached the right front control arm (wishbone) off and let it hang around the tie rod which I had no intentions of even trying to get off. The control arm came off quite easily, there were only 6 bolts total that had to come off. Make sure that the steering is straight ahead or it makes it very difficult to got the sway bar out even with the control arm off. After that it is just a matter of wiggling the bar around the front differential. Putting it back together was just as easy, however, the H&R bushings are a little bigger than the stock ones so it is a pain to get them to fit, but it can be done.

After much swearing and muttering at the car, I now have 24mm adjustable H&R's in the front and 26mm adjustable H&R's in the rear. It is a slow project, but eventually the suspension will be where I want it to be.

Hope this helps.

[Hamptonsam]

Let us know how the H&R bars work for you. It is a pretty big jump from OE and just wondering what that means on the road.

[the917rocks]

My initial road tests were very good. They did not make the ride harsher but the handling is leaps and bounds above what it was. I did throw the steering out of alignment though (by just a hair), so I will have to take it in for that. So far I am happy with them.

Note: I have the bars on the least rigid setting that they have, I don't think that I will have to readjust them at all.

[swmic]

The trick to get the bar out is to jack up the suspension on the side your trying to pull the bar out. This is of course with the car up on jack stands. I'm assuming you trying to pull it out with both sides hanging down. I learned of this trick while changing out my front sway bar on my 993 C4. I could not believe how easy it was once I compressed the suspension. I've heard this also works on the 964 C4.

Hope this helps!!

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by swmic

The trick to get the bar out is to jack up the suspension on the side your trying to pull the bar out. This is of course with the car up on jack stands. I'm assuming you trying to pull it out with both sides hanging down. I learned of this trick while changing out my front sway bar on my 993 C4. I could not believe how easy it was once I compressed the suspension. I've heard this also works on the 964 C4.

Hope this helps!!

Eleven and a half years after this post I was fighting with my '95 993 C4 attempting to install a M030 front ARB with little luck. I did a search and came across this post. Many thanks for bailing me out. Your recommendation of jacking up the suspension was the answer. This is a great place.... thanks!