Sway bar recommendation to replace RDsport

[romero1990]

The car came with RD sport sway bar from the previous owner. There is not exactly anything wrong with the sway. But the rubber bushing is probably wearing out and making a lot of squeaky sound when that side is pressed against bumps.


Since the RDS sway bar is pretty much extincted. Can you guys recommend a similar one?

The car has Vorshlag caster/camber plate and B12 Pro kit. Use is probably 80% daily commute and some casual track days.

thanks

[pbonsalb]

Can you simply order new bushings or are they unique and NLA? If they are poly bushings they may be fine but simply need to be regreased.

If you do need to buy a new bar, I recommend a large hollow adjustable front bar such as Dinan 32mm or Hotchkiss 32mm. I bought the Eibach 29mm because it was on sale for $249. UUC has a 30mm. There may be others, but I would not get any less than the 29mm that I have. I run it full stiff.

[romero1990]

I have been looking around. It seems deprecated and not many ppl know about the replacements.

[Richbot]

I recommend you get rid of your RD Sport swaybar as soon as possible.

I replaced mine (with a Dinan bar) when it snapped in half leaving my driveway. Luckily I wasn't mid-corner at speed where it could have killed me.4

If you don't want to do that, you can probably cure your squeak with some teflon bike chain lube. Unbolt the bushing bracket to give you some room to work it in there. But if it's squeaking badly, it could have already partially failed. Might be worth taking apart to inspect in any event.

[romero1990]

Originally Posted by Richbot

I recommend you get rid of your RD Sport swaybar as soon as possible.

I replaced mine (with a Dinan bar) when it snapped in half leaving my driveway. Luckily I wasn't mid-corner at speed where it could have killed me.4

If you don't want to do that, you can probably cure your squeak with some teflon bike chain lube. Unbolt the bushing bracket to give you some room to work it in there. But if it's squeaking badly, it could have already partially failed. Might be worth taking apart to inspect in any event.

I have heard of that.. I might have gotten lucky. I am kinda debating what to go with to replace the sway bar entirely. Seems Dinan is the pick

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by romero1990

I have heard of that.. I might have gotten lucky. I am kinda debating what to go with to replace the sway bar entirely. Seems Dinan is the pick

You can also check the H&R solid non adjustable.

[M43S7RO]

Hotchkis has the most adjustability, if you are set on a new bar I would go with this one.

[romero1990]

Originally Posted by M43S7RO

Hotchkis has the most adjustability, if you are set on a new bar I would go with this one.

I think my rear is still stock. Should I go swapping out both or just front? It looks like the Hotchkis set of front+rear is the same cost as Dinan... feel like a pretty decent deal doing both.

[pbonsalb]

I would read up on stiffer rear bars for these cars before you buy a front and rear set because it seems like a good value. Most people do not run a stiffer rear bar, not because it would be a pain in the rear to install — it would be, but rather because it does not improve handling or traction for the suspensions most used on these cars.

I would buy just a stiffer front bar.

[Richbot]

If the Hotchkis had been available when my RD Sport bar snapped in half (I can't express how much an front swaybar should never snap in half) I would have gone that route. Dinan's bar is nice but Hotchkis is a much bigger volume suspension brand, they make a ton of stuff, and Dinan is never going to compete on price (and they'll say they don't want to because they want to protect their price point/market position at the high end)

[slicer]

Hotchkis

[Kelse92]

Another vote for Hotchkiss. Just the front bar is plenty for these cars. And with my setup, I feel no need for a rear one currently

[rhyary]

If you want adjustable Hotchkis is not only a great bar, but a great company to work with. From a personal experience, they stand 100% behind their product and to boot, pleasure to talk to.

[Richbot]

By contrast, RD Sport stands behind their product because they wouldn't dare risk standing in front of it

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by Richbot

By contrast, RD Sport stands behind their product because they wouldn't dare risk standing in front of it

haha