O-Bar Finally Installed!

[jdesigns]

Well, after more than a year of owning an O-Bar, I FINALLY installed it this afternoon.

Total time: 3 1/2 hours, this includes jacking the car up & down, and heading to the store to get longer bolts.

Time taken for the first hole: About 15 minutes.
Time taken for last hole: about 1 1/2 minutes.

Hints that worked for me:

If you don't have access to a floor jack to put under the drill to apply pressure, use a 4"x4" chunk of wood and a really long screwdriver (Or other long strong and stiff instrument) to apply pressure like a lever. Works like a charm!

Once the first hole is drilled, use one of the bolts to hold the bar up for the rest of the holes on the bottom.

Definitely use Cobalt drill bits! Expensive, but well worth it! I can't imagine how many regular bits it would take to drill through all that steel.

Make sure you wear safety glasses. You can't drive too well with metal chunks in your eyes.


Lessons learned:

Wear gloves, those metal shavings are hot! Plus your hands won't get as dirty. (I only drew blood twice, but had many slivers of metal in my hands.)

I do trust the locknuts, but I bought slightly longer bolts and used lock washers along with the locknuts. Extra insurance, ya know!

If it's raining during your install, put down a tarp and make sure the water doesn't run over the edges of it! My back, from the top of my head to my heels, was dripping wet by the time I finished.

First driving impressions:

This thing kicks Even though it was raining for most of my install and subsequent drive, I could tell a difference immediately. Someone said that the O-Bar makes the NB more like a go cart, and I think I believe them. (I'll know more after the roads dry out!)




I am kicking myself for waiting this long to install it. It is totally worth the $100 for the O-bar, plus the $25 in Drill bits, and a wet backside!





I totally recommend getting an O-Bar! Do it now!

[oneighturbo]

Very nice write-up. I wish I had waited so I could have learned from you all. My drilling is a bit off. I used zip ties and should have used squeeze clamps to hold the bar in place.

I actually need to revist mine. My bolts are always coming lose and I've even snapped one exiting my driveway. I though about a rubber washer... but I will look into these locknuts/washers.

Nice work. I tried to give you props but I have to give more out before I can give you more...

Oh and nice use of icons to add umphh to the write-up

[lightbulb]

Thanks for the tips!!!

We bought ab O-bar back in 2003 in Roswell and it's STILL sitting on the garage floor! Maybe it's time to put it on Terbie now!!

Hmmm... Pistachio might want one now too

[jdesigns]

I just thought of another tip that might be helpful.

In order for the O_Bar to fit inside, you hve to cut back the rubber bushing on the existing sway bar. I used my Dremel and a cutting wheel to do that. I put the Dremel parallel to the torsion beam, and inside it, and just cut a groove in it. You do have to take quite a bit off of the bushing to allow the O-Bar to fit completely inside the beam.

Do be careful not to get any of the hot rubber on you either. I had several chunks land on my face. Ouch!

IF for some reason you lost the instructions that came with the O-Bar, go HERE for instructions with pics.


Don't wait Jen! Get Chris out there on his back now!

[gilligan]

Looks sweet dude.

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by oneighturbo

Very nice write-up. I wish I had waited so I could have learned from you all. My drilling is a bit off. I used zip ties and should have used squeeze clamps to hold the bar in place.

I actually need to revist mine. My bolts are always coming lose and I've even snapped one exiting my driveway. I though about a rubber washer... but I will look into these locknuts/washers.

Nice work. I tried to give you props but I have to give more out before I can give you more...

Oh and nice use of icons to add umphh to the write-up

I drill like you and have snapped a bolt as well. The O-bar makes a world of difference.

Nice write-up jdesigns

[oneighturbo]

upgraded my bolts, lock nuts and added lock washers this weekend!

[oneighturbo]

after upgrading my bolts etc. it was quite loud! metal on metal sounds galore.

i went back, too kit all apart and put on some ol lithium grease to everything (no threads)

quiet as can be today!

[jdesigns]

Interesting. I haven't heard anything from mine.


Maybe I need to get a skateboard and a short rope for the backend and let the wife loose with it for a bit.

[GatorBeetle]

Originally Posted by jdesigns

Maybe I need to get a skateboard and a short rope for the backend and let the wife loose with it for a bit.

Thanks for the tips...exactly the kind of info I was looking for!!

[Devil Yellow]

NEWB question, whats an O bar ?

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by powerman_dsr

NEWB question, whats an O bar ?

Look here:
http://www.o-bars.com

[GatorBeetle]

Rear sway bar for VW's...helps with handling. Installs inside the rear torsion beam. Good description on their site.

I'm already pricing my Cobalt Drill bits!!