How-to Install a Front Sway Bar on a Subaru BRZ, Scion FRS and Toyota G86

A step by step guide to installing a front sway bar on a Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S or Toyota GT86

This install guide will work for any sway bar on this platform including Whiteline’s 22MM Front Sway Bar, part number BSF45XZ and the 20MM Front Sway Bar, part number BSF45Z.

How long will it take to replace the front sway bar

brz front sway bar install

The front sway bar is a little more difficult than the rear sway bar install. But it isn’t very hard at all. The only reason it takes longer is because you have to remove a couple of trays, so it still won’t be a problem. If you are performing this upgrade yourself and you have the proper tools then this job shouldn’t take more than 1-1/2 hours.


Tools required for the job

To install the sway bar on your BRZ/FR-S/GT86, you’ll need these tools:

  • Jack Stands
  • Car Jack
  • Lug wrench
  • Socket Wrench
  • 12mm wrench
  • Screw Driver
  • 6mm allen wrench
    • 10mm socket
    • 12mm socket
    • 14mm socket
    • 17mm socket
    • 19mm socket

Step by Step

Step One

Once your BRZ/FR-S/G86 is on jack-stands, remove the tires.

brz front sway bar install

Step Two

Loosen the back bolts of the bumper splash guard until it drops down. Then remove the rear under tray (11 bolts to remove using a 10mm socket). Once the rear tray is off, remove the front under tray. There are 8 bolts to remove using a 12mm socket, and 7 plastic fasteners that can be popped off with a screwdriver (be careful not to break the fasteners).

brz front sway bar install

Step Three

Loosen the lower portion of the endlink (leave the top portion connected to the shock) with a 17mm socket. Once loose, disconnect the endlink from the sway bar.

brz front sway bar install

brz front sway bar install

Step Four

Use a 14mm socket wrench to loosen the subframe braces (4 on each side). Hold the middle of the sway bar with one hand while you loosen, so it doesn’t smack you in the face.

brz front sway bar install

brz front sway bar install

Step Five

Take the sway bar off. It will still be connected to the subframe braces.

brz front sway bar install

Step Six

Take the sway bar mounts off. A 12mm wrench and a 14mm socket will be required. There is a space on the underside of the brace to fit a socket wrench if you have any trouble. There are two bolts on each of the mounts, these can be a little tough. Make sure you keep the original mounts, you’ll need them!

brz front sway bar install

brz front sway bar install

Step Seven

Using the supplied lubricant, grease the new sway bar bushings. Put the sway bar bushings on the new sway bar with the slit facing front (the same way the OE bushings are facing).

brz front sway bar install

brz front sway bar install

brz front sway bar install

Step Eight

Using the original mounts, attach the sway bar to the subframe braces. Put weight on the mounts to get started. The slots for the bolts are small so be careful not to cross thread. Tighten the bolts until they are very snug.

brz front sway bar install

brz front sway bar install

Step Nine

Take the stock endlinks completely off using a 17mm socket. Note: If the car has a high number of miles, there is a worst case scenario where the endlink will spin and not screw off. If this happens to you, use a 6mm allen wrench on the opposite side to get it off.

brz front sway bar install

brz front sway bar install

Step Ten

Put the new endlinks on, matching the length of the stock endlinks. Use the supplied washers on the outer side of the new endlink. A 19mm socket wrench will be required. Position the lower end at an angle to help install the sway bar.

brz front sway bar install

brz front sway bar install

Step Eleven

Install the sway bar. Hold the middle of the bar with one hand to avoid it smacking you in the face. Tighten the subframe braces back to the subframe using a 14mm socket wrench.

brz front sway bar install

brz front sway bar install

Step Twelve

Place the supplied lateral locks about an 1/8 of an inch on the inside of the sway bar mounts. Tighten them using the included allen wrench.

brz front sway bar install

Step Thirteen

Attach the bottom of the endlinks to the desired tuning slot of the sway bar and tighten with a 19mm socket wrench. (The inner slot is the soft setting and the outer slot is the hard setting.) These are a little tricky, you might have to wiggle them in. Note: If the vehicle is at stock height the endlinks should go in fine. If your vehicle is lowered it will be a tighter fit and you may need shorter endlinks.

brz front sway bar install

Step Fourteen

Attach the trays and splash guard back. First the front under tray, then the rear under tray, and finally attach the splash guard.

brz front sway bar install

Step Fifteen

IMPORTANT: Adjust the endlinks to avoid preload. Make sure the middle is loose with NO tension. You should be able to finger turn it with very little effort. If you begin to feel tension, go back the other way.

brz front sway bar install

 

Step Sixteen

Put the tires back on, and you’re ready to go.

Adjust the softness of the bar

To switch settings, just remove the bottom attachment on the endlink and switch to the desired setting.

3 comments
  1. Brit
    Brit
    August 21, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    Do you have the torque specs for how tight the nuts should be on the endlinks and the bolts for the swaybar bracket?

    Reply
    • Drew Taylor
      Drew Taylor
      August 24, 2015 at 7:33 am

      The master mechanic performing the install with me said that your just need to torque them to “German torque specs”: Good-an-tight. If you prefer the actual torque specs you can consult your owners manual. It was a pretty straight forward install though, just hand tightening them has worked fine. The car was immediately put on the track and has run several test sessions since with no issues.

      Reply
  2. Anon
    Anon
    August 11, 2019 at 1:49 pm

    On page 3469/5107 the factory shop manual:

    Front Stabilizer Link Assembly (end link) to Strut: 46NM, 34 Ft.Lb
    Front Stabilizer Link Assembly (end link) to Front Stabilizer Bar (sway bar): 46NM, 34 Ft.Lb
    Front Stabilizer Bar (sway bar) Bracket to Rear Body Mounting Cushion Sub-Assembly (subframe):
    Nut: 25NM, 18 Ft.Lb
    Bolt: 75NM, 55 Ft.Lb
    Rear Body Mounting Cushion Sub-Assembly (subframe) to Chassis: 60NM, 44 Ft.Lb (for all)

    Reply

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