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Installing RD Design's Xtreme Lower Tie Bar

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Old Jul 14, 2004 | 07:21 PM
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Installing RD Design's Xtreme Lower Tie Bar

Tools needed:

17mm deepwell socket
Black Marker
Ratchet
Jack
Jackstands
Torque wrench
Info on purchasing the bar is HERE.

1. Block the front wheels, jack up car, and use jackstands. Safety is #1!

2. Use the marker to mark the location of your camber cams. Pay very close attention to where they are when you remove the nuts with the ratchet as shown below. If they move, you should have your alignment checked.



3. Adjust the bar to match your bolt centerlines by turning the end. Reinstall the 2 nuts you removed in the previous step. DOUBLE CHECK those marks before reinstalling the bar and nuts. If you have the torque specs for those bolts, use the torque wrench. If you do not have the specs, I suggest trying to get them first. When done, it should look like the pic below.



4. Lower the car and enjoy your new lower tie bar!

The pic below shows the standard and Xtreme bars side by side.



This was an install from a customer, it adds some information.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Myszkewicz
Well, my ride to work was pretty uneventful. I got stuck behind trucks on both the on- and off-ramps. The couple of curves I did get to take felt a little tighter in the rear end, and it seemed to track better through the corners. I wouldn't say it's a huge improvement, but every bit helps. Now I just need better rubber and thicker swaybars.

Anyway, I promised pics, so here they are:
Pics are clickable for a larger version.

First, the car without the tie bar.


Second is the front side of the bolts, with my alignment marking. Don't skip this step. Both of them moved on me when I loosened them.



Third is the tie bar, installed. Yes, I got the purple/green chameleon one.


Enjoy!

Last edited by PDXRalliArt; Aug 14, 2004 at 09:07 AM.
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Old Jul 16, 2004 | 05:37 PM
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From: canada, montreal
Originally Posted by PDXRalliArt
Tools needed:

17mm deepwell socket
Black Marker
Ratchet
Jack
Jackstands
Torque wrench

1. Block the front wheels, jack up car, and use jackstands. Safety is #1!

2. Use the marker to mark the location of your camber cams. Pay very close attention to where they are when you remove the nuts with the ratchet as shown below. If they move, you should have your alignment checked.



3. Adjust the bar to match your bolt centerlines by turning the end. Reinstall the 2 nuts you removed in the previous step. DOUBLE CHECK those marks before reinstalling the bar and nuts. If you have the torque specs for those bolts, use the torque wrench. If you do not have the specs, I suggest trying to get them first. When done, it should look like the pic below.



4. Lower the car and enjoy your new lower tie bar!

The pic below shows the standard and Xtreme bars side by side.

what is this!!! first time i see that. does it replace a swaybar or what. how much it cost and what is does exacly
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Old Jul 18, 2004 | 11:57 AM
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yeah what is this and what does it do for our ralliart????
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Old Jul 18, 2004 | 03:14 PM
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It's very similar to the rear strut tower brace, only it goes below the car, I just installed one yesterday, and it makes a huge difference, my car actually oversteers now.

Question for PDX though, when I put mine on I didnt use a marker, or even worry about the camber cams, partly because I'm not even sure which part they are, could you maybe explain that a little better? My car still drives in a perfectly straight line........
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Old Jul 19, 2004 | 08:02 AM
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These enhance the rear suspension. These do not replace anything. These stiffen the rear suspension and improve handling.

The camber cams are an eccentric bolt that adjust your camber angle. In the top picture, those bolts can travel in a circle along the centerline of the large washer. Its difficult to explain... Putting it simple though, movement is bad...

I am trying to set up a group buy, but I need KK's approval first. I am thinking of doing the first group buy for $65 shipped in the lower 48. The first group buy will be for 10 people and if there is enough interest I will do another GB.

If you have interests, comments, questions, please PM me.

Thanks!
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 02:00 AM
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From: northern jerzy
so anyone figure out the torque specs for those bolts?
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 11:39 AM
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as tight as you possibly can! I had to use like all my strength to get the damn nuts off, so I used all my strength to put them back on.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 10:33 AM
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as tight as you possibly can!
lol. That the official spec?

I want to get this BAD but I am worried I will mess my alignment all up. I have always done small projects but this one looks like if I screw it up I am equally screwed.

If I mark them like suggested and they move all over the place how hard is it to move them back so they are aligned again?
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Kmfdm
lol. That the official spec?

I want to get this BAD but I am worried I will mess my alignment all up. I have always done small projects but this one looks like if I screw it up I am equally screwed.

If I mark them like suggested and they move all over the place how hard is it to move them back so they are aligned again?
Until someone gets the factory service manual and can look it up, that is the official torque spec. I'm working on that.

If you mark them like I did, once you get the bar put on and the nuts snug, check your markings, and turn the bolt if necessary. It's easy until the final tightening of the nut.

As long as you line up your marking, your alignment will be no different than it was before.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 04:58 PM
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just be careful not to let the eccentric washer pop out.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 05:44 PM
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I got the Xtreme bar too and its great. Best bang for the buck IMO. If only my stupid a$$ wasnt in a hurry and forget to mark the camber cams I wouldnt be having an alignment issue (car pulls hard to the left). Great product
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 07:27 PM
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Just curious, where should the jackstands be placed?
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by pocoRA
as tight as you possibly can! I had to use like all my strength to get the damn nuts off, so I used all my strength to put them back on.
it's 89 ft/lbs +/- 6
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 08:45 PM
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what happens if I put it on too tight
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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 07:06 AM
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Won't affect the control arms any, but the bushing in there might wear out a little faster than normal. That's all. I tightened the hell out of mine, too.
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