I'm going to replace the rear anti-sway bar on my Rallye, but even after going through the CSM, I can't seem to find how and where to raise and support the rear of the car when doing this. Is it best to have the wheels on the ground/ramps? Should I raise the car and support the frame, letting the rear wheels hang free? Should I support the car on stands using the rear axle? While there is a diagram that shows how the rear bar is attached to the rear suspension arm, I can't seem to find any mention of the removal/installation procedure. Thanks for any help!

 

For install I would want both sides of the rear suspension sitting in their “natural” position, weight on the ground but I don’t know that it is critical. Car can be on ramps, backed up on a curb, on boards, all just to get a little space to work underneath, a jack under the pumpkin (+jack stands under frame) wouldn’t be an issue and if you have an impact gun it could probably be done with the tires sitting on the ground just as it is parked. Get some penetrating oil on it ahead of time. If bolts are having trouble back them out until the bind, spray the threads with oil, run the bolt back in and then loosen again, repeat as necessary. I’m an anti seize junkie so I would surely coat the bolts for install.

 

I would either put the wheels on ramps or use jack stands under the frame. The rear should be level either way, which is what you need to get the bar installed. Jack stands under the rear axle will be in the way.

 

It doesn't matter. The bar is between the two lower control arms, and so long as the rear axle is parallel to the body. Put stands under the axle tubes, put the car on ramps, or let the axle hang. It doesn't matter.

 

MUCH APPRECIATED everyone - thank you!!!

 

Stands under the axle tubes will interfere with the sway bar.

 

Doh. Ramps or blocks under the tires still work. So does letting it hang. The issue is to not have one side higher than the other, then the holes in the bar won't line up.

 

Letting it hang works because your shocks limit the travel evenly. Sitting it on the ground with poor springs may not keep the car level.

 

...and don't forget the shims, which GM used "as required" on each individual car. The point is to not bind the rear arms by pulling them closer together via a slightly tweaked sway bar.