Front Sway Bar

chvckw · #1 08-02-2008, 11:07 PM

Is there an easy way to change the front sway bar? I read the chiltons manual and it seemed fairly involved.

BNaylor · #2 08-03-2008, 12:10 AM

What year and model Grand Prix?

chvckw · #3 08-03-2008, 12:08 PM

It is a 97 GT with 3.8 no SC. The sway bar broke over on the drivers side and looks like it is hollow on the inside, could this be? I have a new GM Performance parts sway bar to put on.

tblake · #4 08-03-2008, 07:20 PM

check the tips and maintenance subforum. I actually did two of these in the past month. Its not as hard as everyone leads you to believe.

chvckw · #5 08-03-2008, 08:14 PM

Can i just unblot the sway bar with out undoing anything else? Checked the tips and maintinence section and did not see any sway bar stuff. Did see how to do the struts which will happen before long.

JonJon68 · #6 08-03-2008, 09:32 PM

Your right, there isn't anything in the tips and maintenance forum. However, I could have sworn somebody had a write-up on here with step by step instructions. I just can't remember where and when.

tblake · #7 08-03-2008, 09:59 PM

The sway bar Removal and Installation in structions can be found here

I woner why Bob hasn't posted it in Tips and maintenance yet.

BNaylor · #8 08-03-2008, 09:59 PM

We have this one someplace in several old threads. Just perform a search. See link below.

Click here

Same one Tim. Anyone can post it. I'm too tired lately.

JonJon68 · #9 08-04-2008, 10:29 AM

Hey Bob, you coming down with something?

Keep yourself healthy, we need you on here.....

richtazz · #10 08-04-2008, 03:37 PM

Bob is probably worn out from all the database issues AF has had lately. If that's not it, get feeling better buddy!!!

chvckw · #11 08-04-2008, 03:38 PM

Thanks guys for all your help.

richtazz · #12 08-04-2008, 03:56 PM

The proceedure link is now in the tips and maintenance subforum.

BNaylor · #13 08-04-2008, 07:42 PM

Thanks for the concern guys. I probably just need a good vacation plus doing the UIM and LIM gaskets this past week in my wife's Regal tired me out not to mention a lot of regular work at the office. Plus old age.

.....

tblake · #14 08-04-2008, 07:50 PM

LIM gaskets? What happened? Chocolate Milk in the crankcase? Or just a small leak?

BTW guys, if you look at the post times, Bob and I posted at the exact same time. Neither one of us seen the other person's post beforehand. So I hope Bob will be alright.....

BNaylor · #15 08-05-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tblake

LIM gaskets? What happened? Chocolate Milk in the crankcase? Or just a small leak?

Well, Tim I guess you could classify it as a small leak. Probably the weirdest problem I've run into for awhile at least concerning manifold gasket issues. I noticed over the past 2 months there was some coolant loss maybe 1/2 quart at the coolant reservoir but really hard to tell for sure. No driveability issues. No misfires, 21-22 mpg city, engine vacuum checked at 17 in-hg lowest reading without A/C on, spark plug read was good, good idle, acceleration, etc. Nothing external leaking noted so internal was a good assumption. Then last week she got a SES/CEL light with a P0107 DTC indicating a possible MAP sensor issue. I removed the MAP sensor and noticed some liquid on it other than motor oil which is unusual. Smelled it and then tasted it. No doubt it was anti-freeze.

Then removed the PCV and noticed a small coolant puddle in the UIM port where the PCV inserts. Then decided to check condition of crankcase oil and noted steam coming out of the oil filler with antifreeze residue on the cap. No milkshake and crankcase oil at the dipstick appeared to be uncontaminated probably because it was detected in time.

So I decided a tear down was necessary to see WTF was up. Anyways, what I found was the LIM port gasket at cylinder 1 front bank was in bad shape. It was the coolant port between 1 and 3 along with the part of the gasket that covers the small port in the LIM used for crankcase ventilation and feeding up to the UIM and PCV. So that was the source of the steam and coolant leak. Based on the design the UIM was sucking in the coolant via the PCV system but it was primarily in vapor/mist form so that would explain the no driveability issues. And in the process I noted the UIM gasket was flattened out with no visible raised seal and a minor tear at one of the coolant passage seals feeding the throttle body. However, no EGR stovepipe damage. That area of the UIM looked really good. It has the revised GM UIM plenum and smaller diameter EGR stovepipe since GM revised this for the 1999 year. Otherwise, the UIM looked good and true with no warping of the plastic where it mates to the LIM therefore I was able to re-use it.

Also, although possible this did not appear to be a Dex-cool issue since I put in Prestone EL 5/150 (yellow) coolant well over a year ago. Then took time and cleaned it all up and installed the FelPro UIM and LIM gaskets. Put it all back together by the book. I think I lost faith in the GM gaskets.

Drained the oil and installed a new oil filter just to be safe and added some Seafoam (6.75 oz) in the crankcase for a short period of time. Then new oil again and a new filter. At least I found a good use for the Seafoam since it supposedly helps get moisture out of the crankcase along with other contaminants. Although I am watching it closely all seems good now. I had to install a new MAP sensor since the anti-freeze probably damaged it. No more P0107 DTC either. Just to be safe other parts included the PCV and o-ring, lower fuel injector o-rings and coolant bypass elbows. The bypass elbows did not remove intact when I removed the tensioner assembly so I had to replace them. Used the GM/Delco elbows and they came with the o-rings.

I took a series of pics detailing the work and may post them at Tips & Maintenance along with a tech procedure in the near future which should help GT and some SE owners with the VIN "K" 3800.

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