2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Stock GXL Suspension + RB Front Sway Bar?

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Old Jan 18, 2004 | 02:15 PM
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Stock GXL Suspension + RB Front Sway Bar?

Has anyone done this? What has the effect on handling/steering feel been?
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Old Jan 18, 2004 | 02:27 PM
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you need both bars.... the car will understeer really bad with only one.

install in pairs.
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Old Jan 18, 2004 | 02:57 PM
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negative
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Old Jan 18, 2004 | 03:37 PM
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Originally posted by Scott 89t2
you need both bars.... the car will understeer really bad with only one.

install in pairs.
What? Why would that happen? Did this happen to you?
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Old Jan 18, 2004 | 03:41 PM
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Do just the rear.
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Old Jan 18, 2004 | 05:12 PM
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Originally posted by jeffraider
What? Why would that happen? Did this happen to you?
Changing to a stiffer bar on one end of the car tends to decrease body roll but reduce traction on the "stiffer" side relative to the softer side . . so your car should break traction up front well before the rear in hard turns if you change the front bar and not the rear . . the car would probably not be able to take corners as fast as before if you just did the front.

Case in point: my car was mildly understeering so I changed out the base model rear anti-sway bar for a thicker GXL bar that I got from a friend . . and my understeer problem went away because the stiffer rear bar removed some traction from the rear relative to the front. Even though this change made the rear end of the car seem to lose some traction in hard turns when at the limit of traction, in effect it increased traction in the front because the front suspension no longer had to do more than its share of the work when countering body lean in hard turns. The car is a bit quicker in turning maneuvers now that it doesn't have understeer and both sides (front and rear) break traction at about the same time in an unaccelerated turn.

But go ahead and try installing the front bar only and see for yourself. Experimenting with suspension changes is a great way to learn how to tune the car to your liking. I experimented with removing my rear anti-sway bar completely for a while, but it just didn't make any noticeable improvement so I put it back on, and eventually went a tad thicker with the GXL one to balance out the suspension.
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