Step by Step Guide to Install a Rear Sway Bar on a Subaru BRZ, Scion FRS and Toyota G86

A step by step guide to installing a rear 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 18 MM Rear Sway Bar, part number BSR53XZ and the 16MM Rear Sway Bar, part number BSR53Z.

How long will it take to replace the rear sway bar

brz front sway bar install step1

The rear sway bar is very easy and takes little time compared to the front sway bar install. With the proper tools, you can remove the stock bar and install the new sway bar in less than 30 minutes.

Tools required for the job

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

  • Jack Stands
  • Car Jack
  • Lug wrench
  • Socket Wrench – 12mm
  • 14mm wrench

Step by Step

Step One

Once your BRZ/FR-S/GT86 is on jack-stands, remove the tires.

brz front sway bar install step1

Step Two

Loosen the upper bolts on the stock endlinks using a 14mm socket wrench and detach them from the sway bar.

brz rear sway bar install

Step Three

Loosen the sway bar bushing mounts with a 12mm socket wrench. Hold the center of the bar with one hand to avoid getting smacked in the face.

brz rear sway bar install

brz rear sway bar install

Step Four

Take the sway bar off. First rotate the non-exhaust side until it is clear. Then rotate the exhaust side, and slide off over the exhaust.

brz rear sway bar install

brz rear sway bar install

brz rear sway bar install

Step Five

Put the sway bar bushings on the new sway bar with the slit facing the same way the original bushings were facing.

brz rear sway bar install

Step Six

Put the new sway bar on. Slide it back over the exhaust and wrap the driver side over the control arm. Then slide the passenger side between the control arm and the subframe.

brz rear sway bar install

brz rear sway bar install

brz rear sway bar install

brz rear sway bar install

brz rear sway bar install

Step Seven

Make sure the bar is evenly spaced laterally.

brz rear sway bar install

Step Eight

Make sure the sway bar mounts clip the tab on the subframe, then get the lower mount bolts started.

brz rear sway bar install

brz rear sway bar install

Step Nine

Place the supplied lateral locks about an 1/8 of an inch on the inside of the sway bar mounts. Use the supplied Allen wrench to tighten.

brz rear sway bar install

Step Ten

Start the upper mount bolts, and fully tighten the upper and lower bolts.

brz rear sway bar install

Step Eleven

Attach sway bar to the stock endlinks. Set vehicle back at ride height, then fully tighten endlinks and wipe away excess grease..

brz rear sway bar install

brz rear sway bar install

Adjust the softness of the bar

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

4 comments
  1. Sam Fisher
    Sam Fisher
    November 9, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    A buddy of mine just bought one of these about a week ago and he is already wanting to modify it. He plans to take it on autocross courses so I know he’ll be changing up the suspension. I’ll have to show him this guide since it is very well written out and the pictures help a lot. However, I know it’ll take us a bit longer since we don’t have a big car jack like you do.

    Reply
    • Drew Taylor
      Drew Taylor
      November 16, 2015 at 8:22 am

      Yeah the jack sure did help things. What size sway bar are you installing?

      Reply
  2. MikeDoesTech (@mike_does_tech)
    MikeDoesTech (@mike_does_tech)
    July 16, 2016 at 10:53 am

    you need to add the TORQUE settings to this DIY for the sway bar to end link bolts and the bracket to frame bolts (44#ft). other than that, good job!

    Reply
  3. Edwin Lingle
    Edwin Lingle
    December 9, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    Why was the lateral lock installed to the inside of the sway bar bushing.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this:
Skip to toolbar