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Thread: DIY: Installing a Daox rear sway bar

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  1. #1
    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    DIY: Installing a Daox rear sway bar

    Alright, so you got yourself a nice shiny Daox rear sway bar. Congrats. Lets show you how to get it installed so you can experience the sweet cornering goodness you'll now have.

    Tools Required:
    - 15mm socket (preferably deep well) & ratchet
    - 17mm open ended wrench or adjustable wrench


    Step one is to grab all your tools and slide the sway bar under the rear of the car. The flanges face up, and the bar faces toward the front of the car. I used some wood to keep from scratching up the bar as I slid it under the car.

    I was able to do this without jacking up my car. However, you may want to jack the car up. If you do, make sure that you jack up both sides equally. If you jack up one side only, you will twist the rear beam (which is how its supposed to work) and the sway bar will not mount up properly.

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    Now, grab that packet of hardware and throw the bolts and washers in the spring perches on each side. The bolts go in the very back and very front holes in the perch.

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    Next, lift up the sway bar. Align the holes with the bolts, and get the nuts started on one side enough to hold it up. Then, move to the other side and get those nut started. You may have to finagle it around a bit to clear the brake line clip mounts on the front corners of the bar.

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    Now, tighten up the nuts.

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    There you go, its installed! Go for a spin and swerve back and forth to feel the difference!

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    To purchase a sway bar, see the link below:

    Daox products & price list
    Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block

    Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)


  2. The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to Daox For This Useful Post:

    Alex1a1f (05-31-2018),Angrybeaver (05-31-2018),BigMW (11-30-2022),CROSSBOLT (02-19-2022),Grumpy Bear (01-13-2024),inuvik (05-31-2018),Marklovski (05-31-2018),mitsumi (07-09-2018),Top_Fuel (05-31-2018)

  3. #2
    Senior Member Alex1a1f's Avatar
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    Thanks for this. I'm hoping my Beetle rear springs aren't covering up the bolt holes...

    EDIT: They aren't.
    Last edited by Alex1a1f; 05-31-2018 at 05:16 PM.
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    Daox (05-31-2018)

  5. #3
    Looks like a super-easy installation. How long, start to finish?

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 63.2 mpg (US) ... 26.9 km/L ... 3.7 L/100 km ... 75.9 mpg (Imp)


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    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    Not long at all. I didn't have to jack up the car, so 20 minutes max. If you do have to, another 5 maybe.
    Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block

    Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)


  7. #5
    Senior Member Alex1a1f's Avatar
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    I installed my sway bar today. With my Beetle rear springs, the bolt heads wouldn't just slide by without prying the spring some, but worked. Getting the bar up behind the brake line mounts was also tricky, but not too bad. I also painted the exposed bolts and nuts black to help with corrosion issues.

    Ok. Now about how the bar changes the handling. I honestly didn't think something so simple could affect the handling as much as this did. Daox, with sincerity, thank you for taking the time to manufacture this bar. I couldn't imagine why this wouldn't have included this from factory. The rear end is like from another car. Thank you again.

    I went through some mountain passes last year at a speed that caused my car to feel tippy and can't wait to see how it feels next weekend.

    Guys, buy this bar.


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    Daox (06-10-2018),Marklovski (06-10-2018),MetroMPG (06-11-2018),mitsumi (07-09-2018),Top_Fuel (06-10-2018)

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    Quote Originally Posted by Alex1a1f View Post
    I installed my sway bar today.

    Ok. Now about how the bar changes the handling. I honestly didn't think something so simple could affect the handling as much as this did. Daox, with sincerity, thank you for taking the time to manufacture this bar. I couldn't imagine why this wouldn't have included this from factory. The rear end is like from another car. Thank you again.

    Guys, buy this bar.


    I want to thank you for your write up. You answered a few questions that I had before I even asked them. First of all, I was wondering how this bar would help the 2017-18 Mirages? From your pics, it appears you have a 2017 or 2018 Mirage, and you are seeing a nice improvement.

    I have to believe we would experience an improvement, even with stock springs. I've been sort of waiting for someone to share their experience with the 2017-18 Mirages with the added sway bar, & you have done that. It's great to hear it has made a difference! That is awesome! Thanks!

    I better order one before supply & demand drives the price up!

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to Mark For This Useful Post:

    Daox (06-10-2018)

  11. #7
    Senior Member Alex1a1f's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark View Post
    I want to thank you for your write up. You answered a few questions that I had before I even asked them. First of all, I was wondering how this bar would help the 2017-18 Mirages? From your pics, it appears you have a 2017 or 2018 Mirage, and you are seeing a nice improvement.

    I have to believe we would experience an improvement, even with stock springs. I've been sort of waiting for someone to share their experience with the 2017-18 Mirages with the added sway bar, & you have done that. It's great to hear it has made a difference! That is awesome! Thanks!

    I better order one before supply & demand drives the price up!
    You're welcome. It's night and day. Hurry.. he has a limited number made. ☺
    (blank signature)

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    Quote Originally Posted by Alex1a1f View Post
    You're welcome. It's night and day. Hurry.. he has a limited number made. ☺
    I just order one! Thanks!

    May I ask where you got your hitch from? Did you install it yourself? Do you just use it for a rear bike rack?

  13. #9
    Senior Member Alex1a1f's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark View Post
    I just order one! Thanks!

    May I ask where you got your hitch from? Did you install it yourself? Do you just use it for a rear bike rack?
    It's a Draw-Tite hitch from Ebay and installed myself. I use it for hitch carrier, bike rack, and rarely to pull my little 3x5 Harbor Freight trailer.
    Last edited by Alex1a1f; 06-11-2018 at 03:32 AM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alex1a1f View Post
    Ok. Now about how the bar changes the handling. I honestly didn't think something so simple could affect the handling as much as this did. Daox, with sincerity, thank you for taking the time to manufacture this bar. I couldn't imagine why this wouldn't have included this from factory. The rear end is like from another car. Thank you again.

    I went through some mountain passes last year at a speed that caused my car to feel tippy and can't wait to see how it feels next weekend.

    Guys, buy this bar.

    Thanks so much for the glowing review Alex. I'm really happy to hear you are so pleased!
    Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block

    Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)


  16. The Following User Says Thank You to Daox For This Useful Post:

    Alex1a1f (06-11-2018)

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