COBB & Hotchkis rear sway bars

[ericrapp]

I put mine rear in and it stiffened up the rear suspension so much it was if i had put much heavier springs in the rear. Just some thoughts. i pre lubed the bushings ( hope they did not forget that too!) and when installing i centered the bar by making sure my end links were at similar angles before tightening down everything including collars or stops. I did go back after a week or two a regrease the heck out of the bushings then wiped off the excess. Mine has been awesome but you definitely feel the fast bumps in the rear of the car. It is one big bar and really stiffens up the rear end. Some people may not like that loss of comfort, even on the 'softer' setting. I suggest you check your hardware a couple times to make sur everything is still tight. At least the rear bar is easy to work on. The front is challenging to say the least.One more thought sorry, did you install on ramps i hope?

 

[bacarl]

That is probably sufficient, but if you wanna check the torque, I believe 32ftlbs is the spec.

 

[DaleNixon]

Yea I lubed the bushings really well and did the install on ramps. He gave me everything except the collars. I triple confirmed that.

Thanks for the torque specs. I'll torque them to 32ft*lbs next time I'm under the car. Loss of comfort is the last thing I'm worried about. I didn't buy a Lexus. Hehe.

 

[Kain]

Good thing for you I pointed those out, eh? Though yes, I did mention the collars in my first post. Make sure when you get them that your bar is exactly centered first before installing the collars.

 

[DaleNixon]

Yea thanks Kain, you're the best mayne!

 

[phillyb]

i didn't have collars on mine (hotchkis)
i'll have to go look at that s*** again

 

[mordant80]

It wasn't this car. It was on my old Sentra (solid rear axle) with a NISMO RSB set on full stiff.

So back to this, lol. Had a 01 sentra se with the nismo rsb set on full... even with that, that car pushed like a dump truck... It was "OK" with a blown strut in the front then I replace all struts and shocks with GR2's (the brand name escapes me) Anyhow, it absolutely ruined the car. Only way I could get it to rotate at autocross was to either run very low pressure in the back tires or very high pressure. I'm curious about the setup on that car and more details.. was it a b15? Alot of people bent that solid beam in the back to get the factory toe-in out of it. Never had the chance before I got the MS3 though.

 

[ericrapp]

KYBs?

 

[Kain]

So back to this, lol. Had a 01 sentra se with the nismo rsb set on full... even with that, that car pushed like a dump truck... It was "OK" with a blown strut in the front then I replace all struts and shocks with GR2's (the brand name escapes me) Anyhow, it absolutely ruined the car. Only way I could get it to rotate at autocross was to either run very low pressure in the back tires or very high pressure. I'm curious about the setup on that car and more details.. was it a b15? Alot of people bent that solid beam in the back to get the factory toe-in out of it. Never had the chance before I got the MS3 though.

Indeed a B15, '04 SE-R Spec V. Not sure if the rear axle was shared across trim levels, but I know the shocks/struts are stiffer with less rebound on the Spec V. Could have made the difference.

 

[DaleNixon]

So I tightened those endlink bolts tonight. I didn't get them nearly tight enough the first time. The added noise from the rear is eliminated now!

 

[mordant80]

KYBs?

Yes, thank you

 

[18psiWhiteMS3]

so tell me about the front sway bar??? how hard is it to install and is it not worth it ? thats what im getting from this thred is that its not even worth a front install. I definitally wanna do a cobb RSB

 

[ericrapp]

It was too much for me, but i am not very mechanical and it is tight in there, Sky Diver! I do not want someone to shy away from it though as you could always have a shop do it if that would be easier. I was lucky enough to install the rear first [myself, easier to do] and then drive her around acouple weeks. It definitely changed the understeer to a reasonable bit of oversteer. I was able to bring the back around coming out of turns under the gas. And that s*** is fun in a front wheel drive car! . I had the front bar put on at the same time the springs were installed.so alot changed and now its got understeer again, not as much as stock but she is very tight and you can feel the road and tires better. I recommend you get started with the rear bar and enjoy the change in performance

 

[18psiWhiteMS3]

i decided on cobb springs and rear sway bar

 

[phillyb]

so tell me about the front sway bar??? how hard is it to install and is it not worth it ? thats what im getting from this thred is that its not even worth a front install. I definitally wanna do a cobb RSB

i decided on cobb springs and rear sway bar

too bad, fsb is fun to install. i had fun.
is it worth it?
let me work it.
put my thang down, flip it and reverse it

 

[18psiWhiteMS3]

Just wanted to add all the torque specs for all those who care.
The Bolt that u need to remove to drop the rear shock is 55-75 Ft-lbs
All nuts and bolts for the rear sway bar install are 31-44 ft-lbs
For the front suspension. The top 3 strut bolts are 14-20 ft-lbs
The center bolt that holds the hole shock together is 42-56 ft-lbs
And the bottom pinch bolt for the front shock is 39-54 ft-lbs
These are all out of the mazdaspeed manual.

 

[ericrapp]

i decided on cobb springs and rear sway bar

i think you will be pleased.

 

[18psiWhiteMS3]

i think you will be pleased.

Im pleased stock, im just doing it cause im boored

 

[ericrapp]

This may not be for you then as it really changes the handling and creates a harsher ride

 

[18psiWhiteMS3]

i wip my car around turns. the better handling is for me. its a weekend toy. Im not worryed about a harsh ride! I appreaciate the good looking out though