I just installed a rear lower strut bar I had sitting around for a long time and when I took the car out for a test drive I noticed that the rear of the car is now shaking like crazy. I re-checked the bolt that I unscrewed on each side but it's tight as can be. Is the car supposed to feel shaky like this? The bolts were really rusty so heated them up with a torch for a few minutes to keep from braking them during removal. Is it possible that the heat might have damaged something in the rear arms?

I hope you didn't torch a bushing...

If you didn't, did you install the lower strut bar with in a "neutral" position (meaning you adjusted it so that it just slips on).

Originally posted by WickedESi
I hope you didn't torch a bushing... If you didn't, did you install the lower strut bar with in a "neutral" position (meaning you adjusted it so that it just slips on).

I didn't put the torch directly on any bushing. I just applied heat to the nut that I had to remove. But, when I heated the nut i'm sure the whole bolt which passes through the bushing got hot. As far as the strut bar being in a neutral position, as far as I remember it is. I didn't have to force in on or anything. It just slipped right on. I might take it off though because I also noticed this morning that it's hitting against my exhaust.

I'd put it up in the air and take a big pry bar and try to wiggle stuff around and see what's loose (specifically checking for that bushing being weak). I'm betting you damaged that bushing. You can order individual urethane (Prothane/Energy Suspension) sets from Summit Racing. You can probabably get the ones just for those arms if you wanted to do that.

Thanks for the help. I'm gonna try it this weekend to see what happens. It's funny cause I was surprised at how fast I was able to finish the install. I was done in less than an hour unlike most other weekend projects. I guess the it's the fast no problem installs that you have to be wary about. :+

Originally posted by DanKid
Thanks for the help. I'm gonna try it this weekend to see what happens. It's funny cause I was surprised at how fast I was able to finish the install. I was done in less than an hour unlike most other weekend projects. I guess the it's the fast no problem installs that you have to be wary about. :+

err all it takes is taking two nuts off and getting them back on...