Dan Gardner Custom Sway Bar is now available thru Dezod Motorsports
#463
I will run two autox events with them this weekend, so I can tell you more then. Running a test n tune (probably about 30 + runs with time to play around with them in between) next weekend as well.
I have taken them out to some places where I could play around a bit, and on the middle setting the car feels a lot more balanced. Even putting the car into a tight, slow turn and keeping on the throttle, where it would normally understeer, it really tried to keep rotating. So that is a great sign. I can say that the feel so far tells me that you will pay for not being smooth during multiple transitions (Aka, the tail would get away from you), but that is part of making a car rotate more I imagine that on the softest setting it would be very managable though. Based on the middle setting, I would not run the stiffest setting on the street at all. Even if you autox or track the car and really are ready for it, there would be no need on the street and it just risks putting you into a bad situation if something really goes wrong.
As Paul stated, these are poly bushings. If you lube them well, you should be able to get rid of most squeaking. However, there will be some creaking now and then. Cool mornings, or when you are just backing the car up easy and stop, will make these come out. During most driving you should be fine if you keep them lubed. You will also probably need to lube them every so often to deal with this.
I have taken them out to some places where I could play around a bit, and on the middle setting the car feels a lot more balanced. Even putting the car into a tight, slow turn and keeping on the throttle, where it would normally understeer, it really tried to keep rotating. So that is a great sign. I can say that the feel so far tells me that you will pay for not being smooth during multiple transitions (Aka, the tail would get away from you), but that is part of making a car rotate more I imagine that on the softest setting it would be very managable though. Based on the middle setting, I would not run the stiffest setting on the street at all. Even if you autox or track the car and really are ready for it, there would be no need on the street and it just risks putting you into a bad situation if something really goes wrong.
As Paul stated, these are poly bushings. If you lube them well, you should be able to get rid of most squeaking. However, there will be some creaking now and then. Cool mornings, or when you are just backing the car up easy and stop, will make these come out. During most driving you should be fine if you keep them lubed. You will also probably need to lube them every so often to deal with this.
#464
Well I installed the bar and I tightened down the bushing brackets pretty good but I was just wondering if it would affect the performance of the sway bar if they were overtightened? Like maybe it's too tight to allow the bar to move?
#467
So, after only 8 hours of sleep for the past 48+ hours, I decided to skip the sleep and go ahead and install this. Absolutely love it. Definitely notice the difference between the really sloppy stock sway to this stiff bar. Medium setting feels perfect especially for my moderate turning aggressiveness.
#468
i have it on medium but i think imma place it down to the lowest setting... as much as I love going fast on the corners, my back ends feels like it's coming out way too much on ramps.. + the fact that my tires are going bald doesn't help too much =P
#471
Any updates on this, how did it do? I'm dying to get a legit auto-x review about it haha.
#472
Loved it so far. Our whole ST Class tends to run faster (in comparison to all other classes) each year, so that continued this weekend, but I was much more in contention with people that normally are a bit more ahead of me this weekend. A lot of comments about me getting faster and faster. I can comfortably claim some of that as just experience and seat time, but I really felt that the car rotated much better. I think I am going to put it on the stiff setting for next weeks test n tune and adjust my driving style to suit that. Will still back it down to the middle for daily driving. The car definitely will rotate more.
The 8 cone slalom in the back stretch was a non-event really. Smooth, fast and little steering input. Seemed like it was easier to prevent upsetting the balance than before due to less roll, as long as you dont make sudden lifts or braking maneuvers and dumb times
Great 2 events all around too!
The 8 cone slalom in the back stretch was a non-event really. Smooth, fast and little steering input. Seemed like it was easier to prevent upsetting the balance than before due to less roll, as long as you dont make sudden lifts or braking maneuvers and dumb times
Great 2 events all around too!
#473
I've looked at the stop washer interference issue brought up by eng. Although this is not perfect, we see no binding whatsoever. On a very old prototype bar, I see a minor amount of grinding in that area, where the stop was cut down just due to natural use. Don't think it's a big deal, but good eye to point it out.
#475
Installed this by myself and the difference is absolutely amazing. Only problem I'm having is the bar seems a bit noisey mainly after sitting still for a day and while backing out of the driveway. Yes, I've used the grease (forgot the first time) and everything is tightened. When I hit major bumps in the road I can hear it hit against something. Yes, I know this is a pretty big bar so its going to take up more room than other sways and may hit agansts things but now I'm kind of scared of ruining something under my car. I used a car jack and stands when installing but now people are suggesting using ramps so the bar can be adjusted as it would be when sitting on the ground. Makes sense but I'd hate to have to climb under that car yet again.
But even with the small issues I would totally recommend this bar to anyone. I went from stock to the softest setting. I've never drove a car with an aftermarket sway but now I can't believe I drove my car this long without one!
But even with the small issues I would totally recommend this bar to anyone. I went from stock to the softest setting. I've never drove a car with an aftermarket sway but now I can't believe I drove my car this long without one!
#476
haha yea its a lovely part to have. i drove up to the mountains tonight and a couple nights ago to test it out and if anyone could be in the passenger seat you would swear my car was an awd vehicle. i didnt hear any squeeling or anything, i took the turn so hard and fast that it scared the ish out of me.
#477
Installed this by myself and the difference is absolutely amazing. Only problem I'm having is the bar seems a bit noisey mainly after sitting still for a day and while backing out of the driveway. Yes, I've used the grease (forgot the first time) and everything is tightened. When I hit major bumps in the road I can hear it hit against something. Yes, I know this is a pretty big bar so its going to take up more room than other sways and may hit agansts things but now I'm kind of scared of ruining something under my car. I used a car jack and stands when installing but now people are suggesting using ramps so the bar can be adjusted as it would be when sitting on the ground. Makes sense but I'd hate to have to climb under that car yet again.
But even with the small issues I would totally recommend this bar to anyone. I went from stock to the softest setting. I've never drove a car with an aftermarket sway but now I can't believe I drove my car this long without one!
But even with the small issues I would totally recommend this bar to anyone. I went from stock to the softest setting. I've never drove a car with an aftermarket sway but now I can't believe I drove my car this long without one!
#479