Tension Rod and Stabilizer Bar

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1979–82 626

1. Raise the vehicle and support it safely.
2. Remove the tension rod attaching nuts from the suspension arm.
3. Remove the nuts, washers and rubber bushings holding the tension rod to the bracket, then remove the tension rod.
4. Remove the control rod assembly.
5. Remove the stabilizer bar support plate and bushings.
6. Install the stabilizer bar bushings and support plate. When installing the stabilizer bushing with the support plate, place the open end of the bushing toward the front.
7. Install the control rod assembly.
8. Install the tension rod and bracket with bushings and washers.
9. Install the tension rod attaching nuts to the suspension arm.
10. Lower the vehicle.

1983–85 GLC

1. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on axle stands. On both sides, unlock the two locknuts and remove the washers, bushings, spacer and bolt that fastens the sway bar to the front suspension. Keep all parts in order.
2. Now, on either side, remove the two machine screws which fasten the sway bar bushing to the body via a U-shaped clip, and remove the clip. The bar will now be released and can be removed.
3. To install, the removal procedure should be reversed. Torque the nuts linking the bar to the suspension arm until 0.24 in. (6mm) of bare thread is exposed.

1983–89 626, MX-6 and 929

1. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on axle stands.
2. Remove the engine under cover on 929.
3. On both sides, unlock the two locknuts and remove the washers, bushings, spacer and bolt that fastens the sway bar to the front suspension. Keep all parts in order.
4. Now, on either side, remove the two machine screws which fasten the sway bar bushing to the body via a U-shaped clip, and remove the clip. The bar will now be released and can be removed.

   Fig. 1: Align the bushing with the line on the bar, so slit faces rearward — 626/MX-6 shown; 929 similar

5. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten the nuts linking the bar to the suspension arm until 0.24 in. (6mm) of bare thread is exposed. Torque the machine screws which fasten the U-shaped clip and bushing to the body to 32–39 ft. lbs. for 1983–87 626s, 27–40 ft. lbs. for 1988–89 626/MX-6s and 37–45 ft. lbs. for 929s. Also, when assembling the U-shaped rubber bushings to the bar, align the bushing with the line on the bar and install it so the slit faces the rear of the car. On 929s, this line is yellow. Tighten the locknuts on top of the bolt linking the sway bar to the steering knuckle until 0.98 in. (25mm) of bare thread is exposed for 1983–87 626s, 0.71–0.91 in. (18–23mm) for 1988–89 626/MX-6s and 0.59 (15mm) for 929s.

1986–89 323

1. Raise the vehicle and support it safely. On 1988–89 323s, remove the engine under cover.
2. Remove the two locknuts, washers, bushings, bolt and spacer that link the stabilizer bar to the lower arm. Keep the parts in order.
3. Remove the nuts, washers, rubber bushings and bracket holding the stabilizer bar to frame and remove the stabilizer bar.
4. Inspect the stabilizer bar for damage such as bends, cracks, or metal deterioration. Inspect the bushings for signs of wear or deterioration and replace as necessary.
5. To install, mount the bushings so that the seam faces the rear of the chassis.
6. Mount the bracket side of the stabilizer first and temporarily tighten it. After mounting the control link side, tighten to the specified torque with the vehicle in the unloaded condition.
7. Tighten the stabilizer bar bushing and bracket bolts to 23–34 ft. lbs. (31–46 Nm).
8. On 1986–87 323s, tighten the bushing to control arm nut so that there is 0.43 in. (11mm) of thread exposed at the top of the control link. On 1988–89 models, the control link stud has two sets of nuts on each side. Torque each top nut to 9–13 ft. lbs.

1979–85 RX-7

1. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it on jackstands.
2. Remove the engine gravel shield.
3. Unfasten the tension rod attaching nuts and remove the tension rod.
4. Disconnect both ends of the stabilizer bar from the control links.
5. Remove the stabilizer bar support plates and rubber bushings.
6. Remove the right and left brackets which mount tension rods and stabilizer bar to the body, then remove the stabilizer.
7. Install the stabilizer bar brackets (with the stabilizer bar in them) to the body and tighten the attaching nuts.
8. Install both ends of the stabilizer bar to the control links and tighten the nuts so that 0.51 in. (13mm) of the bolt threads protrude from above the nut as shown in the illustration.

   Fig. 2: Install the stabilizer bar ends as shown — 1979–85 RX-7

   Fig. 3: Install the tension rod ends as shown — 1979–85 RX-7

9. Install the stabilizer bar rubber bushings and support plates so that the open end of the bushing is positioned toward the front of the car. Tighten the support plate attaching bolts temporarily.
10. Install the front ends of the tension rods to the brackets and tighten nut A in the illustration so that 0.28 in. (7mm) of threads protrude above the nut. Then tighten nut B to 80–108 ft. lbs. Make sure you install the rubber bushings as shown in the illustration.
11. Install the rear of the tension rods to the control arms and tighten the nuts to 40–50 ft. lbs.
12. Lower the vehicle and jounce it a few times, then tighten the support plates of the stabilizer bar.

1986–89 RX-7

NOTE: This procedure covers removal and installation of the control link also.

1. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it safely.
2. Remove the stabilizer U-bracket bolts, then remove the bracket and the rubber bushings.
3. Disconnect the stabilizer bar from the control link by removing the bolt, nut and washer. Remove the stabilizer bar.
4. Remove the bolt that attaches the control link to the control arm. Disconnect the control link from the control arm and remove it.
5. Inspect the stabilizer bar and control link for damage such as bends, cracks, or metal deterioration. Inspect the bushings for signs of wear or deterioration and replace as necessary.
6. Assemble the U-brackets and bushings onto the stabilizer bar so the bushing seams face the front. Slide the bushings on the bar so that the edges are aligned with the white lines as shown. Install the stabilizer bar and temporarily tighten the bracket bolts. Install the control link to the stabilizer bar and temporarily tighten the bolt.
7. Lower the vehicle and tighten the bracket bolts to 13–20 ft. lbs. and the control link bolt to 27–37 ft. lbs.

   Fig. 4: Stabilizer bushing installation — 1986–89 RX-7