I'm looking for a true rear sway bar.

The Hotchkis and Progress rear "sway" bars are actually a rear beam axle stiffeners.

In order for a rear "sway" bar to function properly, it should be mounted to the frame AND rear suspension. And has end links w/ bushings. Adjustablity would be a plus. Reasonable cost is no object either.

Sure a bit of body roll will be reduced with rear axle stiffners, BUT those bars are tied into the rear axle ONLY, and not to the frame.

But then again, what do I know? Nothing according to some.

Please stay on topic.

 

Whiteline makes a rear sway bar for the Echo.

Brian has one on his Echo
http://groups.msn.com/Sorensonbrian/...struction.msnw

I haven't looked at the rear suspension in my xA, but that's the bar I wanted a few months back...

 

I have not seen one anywhere. If you find one, please let us know.

Most, as you mentioned, only stiffen the rear axle section. But none I have seen connect to the body or subframe.

 

Mike,

THANKS!

The Whiteline set-up looks like it does the same as the Progress or Hotchkis bar. Also, the xB has a bar running the lwidth of the rear beam, and I'm not sure if it'll fit.

I'm looking for a set-up that will tie in the rear beam and the car's frame.

 

I remember someone putting the whiteline on the xB. that doesn't mean it's happened, only that I remember it

 

how about the cusco one http://optionimports.com/134-311-va28.html I am allso looking for some kind of set up and this bare is the one I like

 

I take it you didnt read it closely huh???

It says FRONT

 

^^^^^^^^^^
lol. i'm surprised no one has come out with one. maybe the addition of a stiffening bar is enought for these chassis's hmmm.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That's a front sway bar, and I know someone who has that one installed already, but I'm looking for a true REAR sway bar, not a rear axle/beam stiffner.

I guess one doesn't exist, yet.

 

If one exists, it would be in the Japanese market by now. If *they* don't have one..............don't think we would get one.

 

I guess you didn't read my previous post directly above yours.

I have YET to find one, but I know enuff race car fab shops and chassis engineers to get one fab'd.

 

it weems like overkill, since the stock rear sway bar is already center mounted. I mean by adding the hotchkis rear bar on top of the stck bar gives you the mounting to the center and to the sides. i have nearly no sway with the hotchkis. its the simplest mod with the most change to me. the original stock sway is already mounted, why would you want to take it off.?

 

It is not a sway bar, it is a rear beam stiffner. Proper sway bars mount to the axle AND frame. You will still have body roll because there is nothing tying the axle to the frame of the car. Shocks and springs do not count.

If you seriously think the Hotchkis rear axle stiffner is reducing that much body roll, then how come I can bend it? Sway bars should not be able to flex as the rear Hotchkis piece does.

The Progress rear bar is beefier and will withstand the flexing better, but I';m looking for a true rear sway bar.

The OEM bar is welded to the inside of the rear beam axle.

 

What is needed is a panhard rod and swaybar combo. That would stabilize the rear axle and reduce body roll at the same time.

 

Just throwing this out for consideration (I have no idea if this would do the trick). Would running the TRD rear frame brace (for the Echo), in conjunction with the Progress "sway" be a consideration? I have the Progress installed and have been very happy with the results. The Echo rear frame brace has been sitting on my living room floor for like two months now and I haven't gotten a chance to get it hooked up. I'm thinking that to really do it in a way that makes me comfortable, I will have to get some spot welds in the mounting locations. While the brace fits perfectly, there are no mounting holes for it on the xB. The Echo brace does mount on the axle and to the frame (although further towards the center of the car). Anyways, I haven't gotten an update from some of the guys who are running the Echo brace, but it seems like it (in conjunction with a beefy "rear axle stiffener" like Progress) might be what you are looking for without having to get custom fabrication. Below is a picture of the instructions (in Japanese) of the Echo frame brace. Not sure how the picture will come out, but it shows the mounting locations at the axle and on the frame.

 

I was going to say... this is the closest thing I have done... it works with the Hotchkis bar...

 

I must say that I installed the Progressive "sway" bar and I could immediately feel the results. It corners much flatter and handling is pretty neutral (way less understeer). I haven't tried pushing the car to the absolute limits or any panic moves (hard braking in corners) to see if the car tends to oversteer into a spin, but for most people, this upgrade will definately put a smile on your face. Of all my upgrades (wheels, tires, springs, strut bar, rear sway), this upgrade had a noticeable improvement with no drawbacks. I recommend it for all.

 

I'm not knocking either Hotchkis or Progressive bars, but I can bend the Hotchkis bar, it flexes that much.

If I was to go only with what is available, I'd get the Progress rear bar. Which I do have, BTW, and the Hotchkis bar up front.

I just may have to go another route though. I do have a lead on the above mentioned brace.

 

i know how real sway bars work, but what and how does a rear beam axle stiffeners

actualy work

need to get me ed-u-ma-cated on that one

 

any one know?