how hard to install thru-body front swaybar?
 

I've got a used Weltmeister front bar to install on my '79 930. Right now the car is at a shop for alignment and some other things I chose not to do myself, and I thought I'd have them give me a quote on them doing the install of the bar.

Before sending the car to the shop, I (with lots of help from 2 friends) did the Rebel Racing RSR conversion, polybronze rear bushings, rear monoballs, front strut brace, and some other bushings. Now, the shop has come back w/ a 3.5 hour estimate for the swaybar, saying the following:

"There is cutting, welding, timeserts to install (as opposed to removing the fuel tank for the backing plate), you must remove the struts, fabricating brackets on the control arms, etc. It is not difficult, it just takes time."

I find this hard to believe that it's this difficult, but then again, buying it used I do not have any instructions. Can anyone chime in and tell me different? Do the struts really need to be removed? If so, I don't have the option of getting it aligned at the shop, then installing the bar myself, as it will then need another alignment, right? Is the RSR conversion (and the raied spindle height) my problem? Is the install easier w/ the stock configuration? Or will another brand (Tarrett?) be easier? I can't see spending $500 on labor to install the wrong bar. What I'd like to hear is that I can do it myself without removing the struts, and that there's no welding needed (as I don't have welder).

Thanks for any input. I haven't driven her in a whole year and can't wait to get her back!

Danger! Danger Will Robinson!

Skip the Weltmeister sway bars and get Tarret, TRG or Smart Racing sway bars.

As far as installing them, if you did all the other stuff, you can install them.

I didn't remove the struts or my gas tank. Just got a little creative to hold the backing plate in place until I could get bolts started. No welding is needed.

Having two people would be a big plus.

Ditch the Weltmeister!!! They suck, seriously

I've only used the weltmeister and Smart racing.

The smart bars are really, really nice. Plus they give excellent instructions and everything bolts on. You will have to drill holes in the body but the indentions are already there and they have very clever instructions as well as a guide tool to do it properly. Follow the instructions to the T and don't skip ANY steps.

I usually remove the fuel tank, it just makes it much easier and safer, plus it's really easy to do if it's low on fuel...

how could a simple lever arm suck in one case and be better in another? I don't care about cosmetics or bling, or weight even. Just functionality (and ease of install, I guess) Or is it a reliability factor?

I like leaving the gas tank in place to make sure the bar clears the tank. It's close and I even cheat the bar back just a hair for insurance. Also, watch out for your pos cable going back to the starter. Make sure the cable is not touching the bar. I've always been a little nervous bar might rub on the cable over time.

The welmeister bars are harder to install, harder to adjust, use standard hardware versus metric(which makes it awkward) the zinc plating doesn't last long, they start to rust, the hardware breaks off very easily, and it's welded in place, they don't have the clever mounting system that attaches to the control arms like the smart bars, they don't come with an alignment jig for drilling the holes in the body in precisely the right place, there is more "slop" in the bearing mounts, hmm let me think, I may have more...

The Smart Racing bars are worth the money... You can always ebay the crapmeister bar... I'm typically not so fanatical , but after dealing w/ one versus the other, you will understand... trust me

I wouldnt put anything Weltmeister on my car.

It is definitely a matter of opinion, I have used Weltmeister for years with good results. The only complaint I have is their rod ends need improvement becoming noisy after a while. However, you can spend as much money as you want to get the same results on the car.

If you are not concerned with looks, longevity or quality, it will work, but once you have drilled the hole for the bar and the mounting bolts, you are stuck with it.

So lets recap: Please see my above comment. :p

looks, no. longevity and quality, that's another story.