front and rear sway bars

sffree · 06-01-2004

First, are there front sway bars for our cars (02 coupe)? or is it just a bushing replacement?? Second, are there any advantages to upgrading the rear sway bar aside from better cornering? Any straight line improvements? Lastly, what's the best mod for increasing straight line/overall stiffness?

I have an 02 coupe on 55-16s, eibach pro kit, koni yellows, spc camber all round, nspd front bar, lower x brace, and rear lower brace... Yet, on highway driving, there STILL seems to be a little too much play in the steering.. I've had it checked ALL OVER by Honda and aftermarket mechanics and all say the car is FINE... any suggestions, or just tell me that it's normal.. please!

Thanks for any suggestions...

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Zzyzx · 06-01-2004

What do you mean overall stiffness?

For better straight line stability have your alignment set with a little bit of Toe in on the front and rear.

Hondas have allways had a little play in the steering feel, its long been a complaint from the racers, as there seems to be a Dead zone in the middle of the steering .

Civryder02 · 06-01-2004

u can get the JDM ITR/RSX sway bars .. they make a big difference from what i hear and they're not that expensive too !

Zzyzx · 06-01-2004

^^ just because some thing is JDM doesnt mean its the best part. and adding a 22mm rear bar (JDM ITR) may be way too much for what he needs.

sffree · 06-02-2004

Zzyzx.. when I say stiffness I mean that feeling where even though you have power steering, you still get that firmness in the steering wheel that translates into overall firmness of the car. I've changed the car so much since I got it, I forgot what it felt like originally.. but it just doesn't seem right yet.. sorry I know it doesn't help much--it's hard to explain in writing when it's a feeling...

robbclark1 · 06-02-2004

Sway bars don't do anything to stiffen the feeling of the steering wheel. All they do is control body roll. Changing the front bushings, getting it aligned to either 0 toe or toe out, and probably changing the PS fluid will help with the "loose" steering wheel. If not, take out your PS.

MrWong · 06-02-2004

I have the same play you are talking about, it usually happens when the steering wheel is at dead centre right? and your travelling in a straight line ?

Zzyzx · 06-02-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by sffree

Zzyzx.. when I say stiffness I mean that feeling where even though you have power steering, you still get that firmness in the steering wheel that translates into overall firmness of the car. I've changed the car so much since I got it, I forgot what it felt like originally.. but it just doesn't seem right yet.. sorry I know it doesn't help much--it's hard to explain in writing when it's a feeling...

Sounds like you need to up the valving on your konis, what do you have them set at?

and Robbclarks right, anit-roll bars arnt going to make the car feel better, I'd be looking to replace the suspension bushings next. the Front lower control arm bushings get pretty beat up when the car is lowered, even just a little bit.

also, what wheels/tires are you using? some of that play may be from tire side wall flex.

Zzyzx · 06-02-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrWong

I have the same play you are talking about, it usually happens when the steering wheel is at dead centre right? and your travelling in a straight line ?

Yup, thats the Honda Dead zone.... as far as I know Hondas have allways had that.

sffree · 06-02-2004

great... so much good advice.. thanks! Hmm where to begin...

Robbclark1: So what is involved with changing the front bushings? Are we talking Energy poly uro type bushings? if so is there gonna be noises involved? I'd rather keep the loose feel than hear squeaking all the time.. As far as the alignment.. I recently had it done when I installed an spc camber kit.. I had them tune intentionally for max grip but not too much as to cause excessive tire wear. And how would I adjust the PS fluid? do you mean change the type of fluid all together or just change the levels?

Mr.Wong: That's exactly it.. manuevering the streets is great.. it's that straight line highway cruising that gets me worried...

Zzyzx: could be the konis.. I used to have them at 1 full turn from full soft evenly in front and rear.. but I turned it down to 1/2 turn from full soft all round cuz I was getting a lot of hop.. Which bushings exactly would I be lookin to replace? just the front lower control arms? or are there other locations? aand what that mean polyurethane bushings? or just replacing the oe rubber ones? And it could be the tires.. they're yokohoma 205-55r-16s.. they're kinda crappy I think...

I really really appreciate the help.. it's a tough issue cuz It's something ya gotta feel rather than read about..

Zzyzx · 06-03-2004

I did my front lower control arm bushings about a year ago, and no squeaks yet....

The front Horizontal bushing takes a beating from lowering.. *Thats the top right one in the first picture.

robbclark1 · 06-03-2004

well I can tell you that with my alignment, the faster I am going the more I feel the steering control. I can touch it and it will go. I have -1.75 camber front, -.75 camber rear and 0 toe all around. I think Usafstud changed his PS fuild to redline.

Zzyzx · 06-03-2004

I just realized, do you have the exact specs of your alignment? You said you got a Sport alignment for handling and the shop may have dialed in a little toe out on the front (For better turn in) and that would affect your straight line stability.

sffree · 06-03-2004

ok...

so.. over correcting neg camber caused by lowering would lose me my straight line grip?

Zzyzx · 06-04-2004

no, its more like if they set your alignment to have a little toe out on the front the car will want to wander when going it a straight line. Extra camber wont do much for straight line stuff, except excessive negitive camber can affect your acceleration and braking.