How to replace anti sway bar bushing

[Fiatcatapult]

I need directions on how to replace the anti sway bar bushings on a 1982 Fiat 124 spider.
Any advice?

[Texafornian]

I am also interested, but for a '77.

[GeorgeT]

I replaced the bushings in my '82 and it was a bear. After pressing the old bushings out remove the steel inner sleeve and save. Press the new bushings into the bar ends (without the steel sleeves). When the bushings are in place lube the inside with grease/oil. Get a long threaded bolt, two large washers and a nut that fits the bolt. take the bolt and put one washer on it, thread it through the bushing, slide the steel sleeve onto it, add a washer and finally the nut. Lube the steel sleeve and start cranking away on the bolt while holding the nut with another wrench. Now refitting the sway bar can be another challenge.

[Fiatcatapult]

George,

I appreciate your response.

I do not know if I can tackle this job without more information on how to proceed. Possibly watch a YouTube video.... not sure I follow your install procedure, it sounds intense.

[GeorgeT]

I had an auto shop press out the old bushings and press in the new ones.

For sleeve installation the assembly is as follows:
Bolt>Washer>Bushing/Sway Bar>Steel Sleeve>Washer>Nut.

[JohnMc]

take a lot of pictures beforehand and label the parts. Right and left hand side retaining are different. Measure about how far and where it is currently - that is if it is relatively symmetrical.
It took two people to finally get this thing in place. I do not know what finally did it - we were taking photos all along - but just got bogged down when it just would not go on. Used some jacks to get near. Tried clamps and vice grips - again, not certain what it took. Probably worked two hours on it with my son to get it aligned etc - and maybe 4 hours by myself before.
Others had posted previously that they broke off the studs while doing project - so you have to worry about the angle that you are doing.
if
You may want to search under the "suspension" section for more.
It took me a lot longer than others. Tried by myself first - I did need two people working on alignment.

[GeorgeT]

That was my experience as well when refitting the bar. I think I attached the end fastened the stud and nut first (driver side) and then "massaged" the body and axle assembly until the I got the bolt to pass through the assembly at the other end. It took three days of effort (about 2 hr. per day due to frustration) to complete the job.

[Fiatcatapult]

Well.. on second thought maybe I'll a professional with a lift do it.

[Fiatcatapult]

Well.. on second thought maybe I'll have a professional with a lift do it.

[bluespider262]

I did mine over the winter when I did the whole front end. I think the trick is to load the suspension. I had the jack stands under the crossmember and the suspension at full droop and could tell it would be a struggle as soon as I started. So I jacked it back up, moved the jack stands under the flat parts of the lower control arms, let it back down and the ends basically lined right up and went on without stressing anything out at all. 10 minute job no lie.

[Fiatcatapult]

Wow.. "10 minute job no lie".

What if I rolled the front wheels onto ramps ... would that work also?

[GeorgeT]

Front wheels on a ramp won't help. It could be a 10 minute job if you got lucky and everything lined up on the first or second try.

[bluespider262]

Wow.. "10 minute job no lie".

What if I rolled the front wheels onto ramps ... would that work also?

Yes same deal. Get the weight on the suspension. All bets are off if you have cut springs etc.

[Fiatcatapult]

Thanks... I'll do it.

[bluespider262]

Sorry I went back through my notes and I wasn't remembering this correctly.

Car on jackstands (under the crossmember.)
Bolt swaybar front links to the chassis.
Locate hydraulic jack under pass. LCA (which is at full droop to where the shocks are fully extended) then raise it up to the point the sway bar end bracket lines up and tighten it up.
Scissor jack under drivers LCA, repeat for that side.

Sorry if this caused any confusion. I don't think ramps will work quite as well now that I see I used two jacks. There must have been a reason for me to break out the trusty scissor jack, i.e it won't line up right with only one jack.