Suspension Brakes Most liked posts in thread: New NM springs messed up adjustibility of sway bar

  1. jeffster06

    jeffster06 Active Member

    Apr 23, 2010
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    #2 jeffster06, Aug 28, 2011
    usually if you lift the whole rear of the car releasing the sway bar should be easy. If you are trying to do one side at a time (lifting one side then the other) you will run into difficulty.
     
  2. KC Jr 54

    KC Jr 54 New Member

    Jun 3, 2009
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    #3 KC Jr 54, Aug 28, 2011
    Bingo ^

    If you are trying to lift just one side of the car, you are putting pressure on the otherside causing the sway to "do its job."

    Just lift the whole rear of the car, and done deal.
     
  3. mrminimmel

    mrminimmel New Member

    Dec 5, 2010
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    #4 mrminimmel, Aug 28, 2011
    Thanks, I'll try that later today.
    Pete
     
  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    #5 Crashton, Aug 28, 2011
    I do mine one side at a time. My trick is to take my second floor jack & lift up on the arm & release the tension.
     
  5. mrminimmel

    mrminimmel New Member

    Dec 5, 2010
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    #6 mrminimmel, Aug 28, 2011
    I knew there was a great reason to go to Harbor Freight for that second, light weight floor jack. Thanks again. Maybe also a set of t-handle hex keys??
    Seriously though, does anyone recommend the blocks that fit up into the "jack pad" recesses?
     
  6. KC Jr 54

    KC Jr 54 New Member

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    #7 KC Jr 54, Aug 28, 2011
    I personally have never used them, and i have never had an issue after jacking up a MINI well over a 100 times.

    Crashtons approach works, as thats essentially what i do as well. Having two jacks, OR just a set of jack-stands is usually good.

    FYI If you are going to Harbor Freight for the 2nd jack, make sure get a coupon for it. Dang thing is always on sale.
     
  7. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #8 Crashton, Aug 28, 2011
    I'm old school I use a piece of oak on the jack... :D

    As cheap as those Harbor Freight jacks are. Two makes plenty of sense.
     
  8. mrminimmel

    mrminimmel New Member

    Dec 5, 2010
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    #9 mrminimmel, Aug 28, 2011
    And as I try every once in awhile to admit when I pull a boneheaded stunt, I should say that the springs in my car were not causing the problem, the fact that I rushed to do something I'd done before was the problem. Never to old to learn to plan the work.