The Wolf
08-18-2012, 04:10 PM
Hey, so this probably doesn't require a write up with pictures and stuff... but I took pictures and so I'm doing it anyway. It may help someone in the future.
Anyway, I picked up an OEM MS3 sway bar from S.F.W. a few weeks back. Talking with other members who have installed OEM MS3 bars on their NA 3's, I have come to understand that the 2010+ Speed 3 bars are a little different.
Here you can see the aluminum clamp "stoppers"
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9753/780975155279d4f2da8az.jpg
These, I assume, are to keep the bar from sliding side to side under hard cornering. The trouble is, they are spaced wider than my mounting points. Thus, they have to go. I'm not sure what effect removing them will have on the overall performance of the bar, but my OEM bar didn't have them, and the 1st Gen MS3 bars didn't have them, so I'm going to assume everything will be perfect and nothing bad will ever happen.
To remove them, you need to find the point on the clamp where they are joined together. Then take your cutting device of choice (I chose a hacksaw), and start cutting on the OPPOSITE side of the existing joint. This will allow you to open them up easier.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7303/7809665932b2f2059bfbz.jpg
Once you're through (be careful not to cut into the bar - this is why I chose a hacksaw), use a large flat-head screwdriver to pry the ends apart. Since you weren't a dummy and found the exact opposite side of the joint on the clamp, this is very easy... just twist.
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/47/7809660148991b2c52d6z.jpg
They should pop right off
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/5720/78096540464aa7613040z.jpg
Voila! They're off and you can mount your swaybar. I noticed some rusting where the clamps had been, and even though the rest of the bar was in MINT shape, I decided to paint the bar a nice anodized red to match my calipers and to protect it a little better from the elements.
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/5444/78096365484c904b8cc3z.jpg
Thanks for reading, install coming shortly :)
Anyway, I picked up an OEM MS3 sway bar from S.F.W. a few weeks back. Talking with other members who have installed OEM MS3 bars on their NA 3's, I have come to understand that the 2010+ Speed 3 bars are a little different.
Here you can see the aluminum clamp "stoppers"
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9753/780975155279d4f2da8az.jpg
These, I assume, are to keep the bar from sliding side to side under hard cornering. The trouble is, they are spaced wider than my mounting points. Thus, they have to go. I'm not sure what effect removing them will have on the overall performance of the bar, but my OEM bar didn't have them, and the 1st Gen MS3 bars didn't have them, so I'm going to assume everything will be perfect and nothing bad will ever happen.
To remove them, you need to find the point on the clamp where they are joined together. Then take your cutting device of choice (I chose a hacksaw), and start cutting on the OPPOSITE side of the existing joint. This will allow you to open them up easier.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7303/7809665932b2f2059bfbz.jpg
Once you're through (be careful not to cut into the bar - this is why I chose a hacksaw), use a large flat-head screwdriver to pry the ends apart. Since you weren't a dummy and found the exact opposite side of the joint on the clamp, this is very easy... just twist.
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/47/7809660148991b2c52d6z.jpg
They should pop right off
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/5720/78096540464aa7613040z.jpg
Voila! They're off and you can mount your swaybar. I noticed some rusting where the clamps had been, and even though the rest of the bar was in MINT shape, I decided to paint the bar a nice anodized red to match my calipers and to protect it a little better from the elements.
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/5444/78096365484c904b8cc3z.jpg
Thanks for reading, install coming shortly :)