How to Install Lower Tie Bars
When a car is driven around a corner, there are a variety of forces acting on the chassis. These forces include the grip from the tires, the compression of the springs and shocks, and many others. This is turn causes the chassis to flex and move, which can make a poorly-tuned suspension feel vague and less than precise. A lower tie bar is a rigid length of metal that ties the two sides of the chassis or suspension together and minimizes this excess movement, making handling feel more responsive. A lower tie bar is generally easy to install and the job should only take a few minutes.
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Instructions
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1
Lift the front of the car with a floor jack and lower it onto jack stands on either side. You can also pull the front of the car up onto a pair of ramps to access the suspension. It is not necessary to remove the wheels on most cars.
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2
Determine where the tie bar will be bolted in place. This will vary depending on the model of car and brand of tie bar you are using. Most will bolt to the lower control arms or somewhere on the chassis' subframe. Consult the directions that came with the subframe. Some tie bars are a simple bar design with holes on either end, while others have multiple bars that need to be bolted to the chassis.
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3
Remove the bolts on the car where the tie bar will be installed with a socket and a ratchet. Hold the tie bar up to the chassis so that the holes in either end of the tie bar line up with the holes in the chassis.
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4
Thread the nuts and bolts back into place so that the tie bar is bolted on. You may need to use longer hardware, which should be included with the tie bar. If longer bolts are needed but not included, buy them from a hardware store. Tighten the hardware with the socket and ratchet. Lower the car back to the ground.
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