Sway Bar preload???

[An2ny]

I recently installed a front adjustable SANER sway bar in the S2000… I installed the bar while the car was in the air (no load on the suspension) I keep getting a lot of mixed information in this issue like:
“Large sway bars do not need preload. If you were to apply preload the weight distribution would change dramatically as well as the overall attitude of the car”
‘It is related to what type of chassis and spring arrangement you have”
“If you preload then you don't have a lot of adjustment. If it's neutral, you can always add a or take some bar at the track”
“You must preload the bar”
“You must preload the bar with the driver in the driver seat”

I have not driven the car yet. I use the car for autocross; I will be getting an alignment soon, I was going to run it the way it is now and decide from there, but I just wanted to make sure that it was going to be ok, how is everyone else running the front-sway bar or what do you think about this.

Thanks. :thumbup:

[repiv]

People I've known who have installed suspension components with the car "unloaded" (up in the air) have later discovered odd characteristics in the car's handling and general ride quality. If you bolt everything down when the suspension is unloaded and then put the car's full weight onto the suspension, that component begins in a pre-loaded and unnatural state. I always suggest to people to have the car on the ground and in the condition it will be driven before torquing everything down. Would you do an alignment with the car up in the air?
But if it works for your circumstance, then there is no argument.

[Jasonoff]

A sway bar has no alternate "options" for placement.

Snugging down the end links and bushing mounts would make no difference if it is loaded or unloaded.

NM... this pertains to adjusting the stiffness of the bar. I fail at reading :lol:

[gomarlins3]

I did mine so long ago, I can't remember how I did it. I would assume I had the car in the air when I tightened everything down, but I am not sure. Maybe I should redo it this Saturday before my autoX on Sunday and see if it helps any. I know I can use all the help I can get.

[Goku]

The saner one is the one that you twist right? Not one with open holes at the end of the sway bar for the endlinks. If thats the case then I would agree that adjusting it under load is the proper way to do it. I have the cusco 3way in mine and since the 3 holes are on the end of the bar it doesnt matter if the car is loaded or not it wont change the out come. But the twistable ones it will have a impact on the way it gets adjusted.

[An2ny]

The Saner is a 3 way adjustable front sway, I never seen the Cusco but I guess it is the same, a solid bar with 3 holes at the end of the bar. The one that you are thinking may be the Gendron FSB.

[Jasonoff]

Then this answers your question. A preload is not necessary for your bar.