Sway Bar Pricing!

[Doohickie]

Originally posted by Chip@Apr 16 2006, 07:53 PM
Thanks for the question!

-Chip

Quoted post

I know there isn't the same number of people doing these kinds of things on Reno/Forenzas (Forenos?) as on the Elantras; I just thought I would share some of the collective experience from over there.

I still haven't changed over to poly bushings yet; I hope to get to it one of these days.

[schoolpsych]

Question for Chip -

I'm wondering if these will fit the Forenza wagon -- I'm sure its the same setup, but it never hurts to be sure. I hope they do - we need some major help with body roll.

Thanks!

[Doohickie]

I would be shocked if it didn't.

[Combat_medic]

Hmmm....Sway bars. What can I expect if i buy these? I've got that itch to buy them but wanna make sure i'll be happy

[EC Transplant]

Combat Medic: So you wanna make sure these will make you happy eh?

Ok, do this. Get in your Forenza, find the nearest mountain road, go up and down at about 7/10ths (about the point where the tires begin to squeel). Now, go out and drive the new Civic SI around as spiritedly, or better yet, any of the new Minis that are out.

If you haven't driven any of the performance coupes or hatches out now, then you will soon know just how much body roll the Suzuki has in comparison to those cars and how much more confidence inspiring it is to drive a car that doesn't roll quite so much. Hopefully, with how much thicker these bars are than stock, I am hoping to get it to feel about the same as a Sentra SE-R. I would be ecstatic if it transformed our cars to even approach the handling of the new Minis (my girlfriend owns one, and I get to drive it which is somewhat of a consolation) .

[kinkyllama]

Originally posted by Combat_medic@Apr 18 2006, 06:43 PM
Hmmm....Sway bars. What can I expect if i buy these? I've got that itch to buy them but wanna make sure i'll be happy

Quoted post

As suspension mods go its probably the best bang for the buck you can do. Its just amazing. You'll never wanna go back again

[Doohickie]

Originally posted by kinkyllama@Apr 18 2006, 11:19 PM
As suspension mods go its probably the best bang for the buck you can do.* Its just amazing.* You'll never wanna go back again

Quoted post

As an Elantra owner I can agree with that.

FYI, here is a thread that just popped up on ElantraClub about a guy whose strut tab broke: 22 mm SWAY BAR DANGERS. You may need an ElantraClub logon to get to the thread. The first post says:

Well, after 1.5 years with the RRM 22mm Sway Bar, and 1 full auto-X season.. The abuse and stresses I've put on the EGT equipped with a 22mm RRM Sway Bar (set to stiff) has shown..

I discovered over the Easter weekend, the rattling under my rear suspension isn't the annual loosening of the sway bar end link nuts, but THE TAB ON THE SHOCK TOWER LINKING THE METAL END LINK HAS BROKEN OFF !!!*

Yes, I guess all the abusive driving with summer tires, and auto-X'ing has taken its toll.. The fracture occured on the tab that's welded onto the shock tower, this tab is what one end of the metal end link goes through.. The fracture goes right through the bolt hole.. Of course my warranty is voided due to my mods.. So my only option is to go to my local mechanic and see if he can weld the tab back together, redrill the hole, and reassemble the end link to the tab..

Of course this calls for some good surface prep: cleaning the surfaces, and pre-bevelling the groove weld.. He'll also have to grind down any excess weld bead showing after welding.. UGH..

Folks, this is a risk you run with auto X'ing on a 22mm sway bar equipped EGT.. Hey I had my fun pushing the car to the limits, and getting to know it at that point.. Now I know the limit.. Let's see if the other side does the same thing..

This makes at least two cases I am aware of that a strut tab broke off with a 22 mm sway bar. There are literally dozens of guys with the 19 mm sway bar that haven't had any problems.

From upthread:

Stock Rear: 14.6 mm
BMS Rear: 19.5 mm

That is about the same as the upgrade of going to the 19 mm bar on the Elantra. Assuming about the same design margins, 19.5 mm should be fine.