AWR 21mm swaybar installed

[Natey]

Man.
I had a hell of a time with that swaybar installation. I installed it in true Natey fashion...every wrong way possible before finally figuring out all the little quirks.(uhm)
Actually, the disassembly of the stock bar went pretty smoothly. I had visions of broken bolts on the endlinks, etc., but I guess the WD40 really did the trick!
The actual swaybar itself was pretty easy to put in, too. It's the endlinks that were giving me (big) trouble.
Anybody about to install this set-up, I have some advice: don't get all the washers mixed up. There's four different sizes and shapes, all going to they're own place on the endlinks. Jeez, I must have taken apart those slider brackets a half dozen times. (bang)
Anyway, now that it's all tightened down and finished, I really like it. I haven't gotten a chance to "test" it yet, but I can tell already that the rearend of the P5 is more stiff. Just pulling into parking lots etc., I can definately tell the difference...much less flex back there.

All in all, I'm pretty stoked on my new swaybar. it stiffened the chassis up, and it looks pretty trick under there, too. Now, maybe Sean and Rishie wont skunk me quite so badly on Hwy 9!

Side Note: I got my H&Rs in the mail today!! Wow! they look nice. Heh, my little wagon's beginning to come together.(headbang)

 

[alexlitov]

Now you need a few type R stickers good job with the sway bar. Maybe we can do mine in a few weeks.......

 

[dominoy2k1]

bout time you got some springs....

 

[Natey]

heh, You ain't kidding.

FINALLY!

 

[mypfizzle]

ooH.. did u ahve to change your endlinks? isnt the 21 mm bar the one that snaps endlinks from normal driving? i have been considering going to the same bar but im scared to death of breaking something and not having the cash to fix it -=(

 

[SedanMan]

Does you bar look like this?

Ya I feel your pain with the endlinks. I had to rethread a few of the slider block holes cause it was just too damn tight in there.

 

[Natey]

mypfizzle,
Yeah, it's the one.
But the 21mm also came with adjustable endlinks included. Here's a couple of pics

Everything that came with the swaybar:

Installed:

Endlink close-up. (sorry for the crappy pic)

Sedanman: Damn bro, what a confusing exercise, huh? How do you like your swaybar so far? I'm almost afraid to put it to the test...I'm having trouble trusting my own handywork....(nervous)

 

[SedanMan]

Sedanman: Damn bro, what a confusing exercise, huh? How do you like your swaybar so far? I'm almost afraid to put it to the test...I'm having trouble trusting my own handywork....(nervous)

Did you have to write to Tony to ask him where to use which spacers? I did, and I'm glad cause I wasn't going to install it correctly. Big spacers in between the slider block. Small spacers at the strut tab.

In case you haven't done so, I suggest you put some loctite on the nuts and bolts holding the swaybar in place. A guy I know told me this cause his bolts loosened and it created a clunking noise.

I have it set at the softest setting and DAMN what a difference. I would say its more noticeable that the springs. Its scary how you can accelerate in curves now. But I haven't put mine to the ultimate test for 2 reasons:
1. My lugnuts kept unscrewing themselves for a while. I believe this is unrelated to my swaybar install because I damaged my lugs prior to my install.
2. I want to reinforce the strut tabs with some metal. User macklum showed me how he did it and it looks to be a good idea. You just bend a piece of iron so that is connect to the strut tab and the front of the strut where there are those two big bolts. I'm not very good at explaining but once I do it, I will take pics.

 

[Natey]

LOL, Where was that advice about three knuckes ago?
...Nah, I never called AWR...I just used the ol' trial and error(mostly error) method. I did get it right finally, though. Thanks for the advice about the strut-tabs. I'll probably be changing the struts for Tokicos soon but I'll keep an eye on the tabs.

 

[NegatiZE]

Congrats! The endlinks are a PAIN IN THE ASS!!! I had the same problem when I put my bar in last year. Last time I had a chance to put my car on a lift, I tried readjusting my "adjustable" endlinks but the screws in the block are rusted in tight. I even tried liquid wrench but they still won't budge. Oh well.

About the stock mounting tabs - they never broke on me. I recently changed to Tokico struts and I looked at my old stock struts - they looked perfectly fine. I'll snap a picture if anyone is curious. I've done plenty of autocrosses and hard cornering on my car too.

 

[uclap5]

the p5 is supposed to not have reinfornced strut tabs, while the sedan does, so this is of extra concern to p5ers.

 

[NegatiZE]

the p5 is supposed to not have reinfornced strut tabs, while the sedan does, so this is of extra concern to p5ers.

The only sedans that have reinforced strut tabs are the MP3/MSP. Take a look at my old struts:

 

[Natey]

NegatiZE, That pic you posted was a big reason why I wanted one of these bars. When you first posted it, I went out and looked at my stock swaybar, and went "I need one of those big 'uns too!" Your car is nice ...and inspiring.

uclap5, yeah, I'm definately gonna keep an eye on it, plus I have it set on the softest setting possible. So, Hopefully my struts will hold up until I can get my grubby mits on a set of Tokicos.
...When're you coming up to Nor-Cal again? It would be killah to see ya up at a "Fun Run"!

 

[NegatiZE]

Thanks, natey.

You might want to get some rust protectant stuff on those block screws before they turn rusted like mine.

 

[uclap5]

ill be up the 18-21. not much time up this trip. also il be up in mid august for a week.

Thanks for the pic negatize. anyone got a close up picture of your mp3 or msp strut tabs?

 

[NegatiZE]

Yep, here you go:

 

[uclap5]

Beefy.

thanks

 

[redgrime]

Is anyone getting any creaking and groaning out of their 21.5mm bar? I checked the washers, everything is tight, the bushings are well lubed......It is very annoying. I will have to put the stock one back in if I can't get it to stop!!! It only makes noise while accelerating from a stop or braking.

 

[WShade]

The endlinks are hime joints. No bushings as you notice. They always do that. No cure.

 

[Natey]

Thanks WShade.
I've been under my car tightening every bolt, wondering where that creak's coming from. To me it only seems to be coming from the passenger side.(?)
It's not loud at all, and I can only hear it when I'm going 25mph or less, but yeah...there IS a little groan back there. Is this the sound that you guys have, too?

I'm not taking my swaybar off for anything. The performance gains are well worth the minor creak, IMO(rockon)