I just got done installing disc brakes, replacing all the busings and ball joints.

When I was tighting down the sway bar stab links I just tightened them until I had about an inch of threads above the nut on the top of the link.

Is this right ? Or are they suppposed to tightened when loaded instead of unweighted.

Thanks !

Tom
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/sway%20bar.JPG

Tightend to approx 14 ft lbs on a flat & level surface

How do measure 14Ft/lbs of torque on the stab link ? The torque ot just turn the bolt is that high.

I guess my question is - do you tighten the nut on the top down so that there are threads showing ? If so what is normal ? Can these be over tightened ?

Thanks !

I've been wondering the same thing! I just tightened them until the rubber caps came together and the threads were not visible.

Oc course, I don't have 1" showing, but different kits my have different length bolts. I'de love to hear from someone about measuring the torque!

All you guys with front sway bars - what do yours look like ??

Are you supposed to preload them ??

Mine look like yours but I did it with the nut on the bottom of the control arm. I just tightend it until the rubber bushings came togeter against the sway bar tight.
good luck
wes

Tom, The books says to run the nut down to the unthreaded portion of the bolt. The torque spec is with the nut against the unthreaded portion of the bolt.
John

Crank 'em down until you run out of threads. The bolt is sized to the tube. You don't want needless slop on the ends of a sway bar, defeats the purpose of having the bar if it slops around.