How To Change Your Rear Sway Bar

JA/JX (1G Cloud)

This How-To describes the removal and installation of the rear sway bar on the Chrysler Cirrus/Chrysler Sebring Convertible/Dodge Stratus/Plymouth Breeze. Specifically, this How-To should be used to replace the stock sway bar with a stiffer one, such as the sway bar offered by Dreamspeed Performance Engineering. The procedures described with this How-To should take a reasonably competent mechanic about 1 hour, and no more than 1.5 hours, to perform both removal and installation.

• Removal
• Installation
• Sway Bar Pictures

Removal

1. Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts.
2. Raise the rear end and place on jackstands.
3. Block both front wheels.
4. Remove the rear wheels.
5. Remove the nuts attaching the sway bar links and sway bar isolator bushings, then remove the isolator bushings.
6. Unbolt the sway bar clamps from the rear crossmember.
7. Remove the sway bar from the vehicle.

Installation

1. Position the sway bar where it will be installed in the vehicle. Refer to the below picture to properly orient the sway bar.
   

   Correct Sway Bar Orientation

   
   
   

   Note
   The use of a jack, as well as various prying tools, may be required to get the sway bar installed.

   
   

   Warning
   Take special care when using a jack to move the suspension components on the vehicle to align with the sway bar. The danger exists that the vehicle could move off the jackstands, causing injury and/or death.

   
   
   
2. Install the isolator bushings and nuts.
3. Install the sway bar clamps to the rear crossmember, making sure that the bushings are installed so that the slit in the bushings face the front of the vehicle.
4. Tighten the isolator bushing nuts to 24 ft-lbf.
5. Tighten the sway bar bolts to 20 ft-lbf.
6. Install the rear wheels and lug nuts.
7. Lower the vehicle.
8. Unblock both front wheels.
9. Tighten all of the lug nuts to 55 ft-lbf, following the below pattern. Repeat for 85 ft-lbf, then for 97 ft-lbf.
   

   Wheel Lug Nut Tightening Pattern

Pictures

Here are some pictures I took while removing and replacing the stock sway bar with the Dreamspeed replacement. After I installed it, the test-drive revealed a wonderous improvement in handling! My car now handles about like it's on rails. This is a really big difference from what the car performed like with the stock sway bar.

Comparison of Dreamspeed and Stock Rear Sway Bar

Comparison of Dreamspeed and Stock Rear Sway Bar

Port View Facing Aft of Stock Sway Bar

Port View Facing Aft of Dreamspeed Sway Bar

Starboard View Facing Forward of Dreamspeed Sway Bar

Port View Facing Forward of Dreamspeed Sway Bar