Hey guys,
Been on here for a bit lurking but never created a thread. First a little background .... 2012 GTI DSG with APR stage 2, Volant intake, CTS DP, CTS TOP and Ultra Racing Mid Brace. Stock everything else including the Pirelli's. Grew up with a 69 Chevelle that was constantly modded (had for ~20 years), owned mostly trucks and had a 2011 Mazdaspeed 3 (modded of course) before the GTI.
So, I wanted to reduce the sway/roll to get better cornering but was put off on the Front Sway Bar install and don't like the feeling of just a Rear bar. Thought I would give this a try as I had success with braces on the Speed 3 and they're usually easy installs.
Install:
Here's the bars out of the box:
2014-05-08 10.01.11 (Small).jpg
Nice and light with solid hardware. The rear was extremely easy to install with the only issue the lack of any instructions. The brackets on the rear subframe bar were partially installed from KMD and needed to be switched.
The front was easy also but I noticed what looked like a missing subframe bolt on the passenger side. I realized it was a non-threaded hole but since the mounting plate needed that anchor point I bought a grade 8 3" bolt/nut combo and used that. On the drivers side there was a casting ridge that prevented the mounting plate from laying flat so I had to grid some material away to make it fit. Not a big deal in my eyes as it'll probably vary between cars.
2014-05-08 13.14.33 (Small).jpg
2014-05-08 13.25.50 (Small).jpg
Without instructions I didn't have any torque specs so I just used my wrench and upped the torque until I could get the bolts to just move and used that as my torque spec. Used red loctite on the bolts and had it all together in about an hour.
Driving Impressions:
From my house there's a fairly sharp right hand merge onto the highway which I always take quick as it's a fairly short merge lane. Normally I can really feel the car shift/roll to the left. Without looking at my speed I went into it expecting the same pitch to the left but instead found the car to remain flat and my traction control came on for the first time ever around a corner.
I then did some driving around town before heading to the twisty local mountain pass. Definitely feel a more responsive turn in and better hold when setting into a turn. Also the transition between left to right turns is a tighter feel.
Overall I feel more confident in cornering as the car stays flatter without affecting the ride quality. This is something you will feel the more you push the car.
Will it change the world for you? Probably not but if you're sensitive to the handling of your car and like to push it hard on corners then I think this is a good purchase. You will notice the difference and it will make the driving experience more enjoyable.
Any questions or comments please let me know!
Thanks
Been on here for a bit lurking but never created a thread. First a little background .... 2012 GTI DSG with APR stage 2, Volant intake, CTS DP, CTS TOP and Ultra Racing Mid Brace. Stock everything else including the Pirelli's. Grew up with a 69 Chevelle that was constantly modded (had for ~20 years), owned mostly trucks and had a 2011 Mazdaspeed 3 (modded of course) before the GTI.
So, I wanted to reduce the sway/roll to get better cornering but was put off on the Front Sway Bar install and don't like the feeling of just a Rear bar. Thought I would give this a try as I had success with braces on the Speed 3 and they're usually easy installs.
Install:
Here's the bars out of the box:
2014-05-08 10.01.11 (Small).jpg
Nice and light with solid hardware. The rear was extremely easy to install with the only issue the lack of any instructions. The brackets on the rear subframe bar were partially installed from KMD and needed to be switched.
The front was easy also but I noticed what looked like a missing subframe bolt on the passenger side. I realized it was a non-threaded hole but since the mounting plate needed that anchor point I bought a grade 8 3" bolt/nut combo and used that. On the drivers side there was a casting ridge that prevented the mounting plate from laying flat so I had to grid some material away to make it fit. Not a big deal in my eyes as it'll probably vary between cars.
2014-05-08 13.14.33 (Small).jpg
2014-05-08 13.25.50 (Small).jpg
Without instructions I didn't have any torque specs so I just used my wrench and upped the torque until I could get the bolts to just move and used that as my torque spec. Used red loctite on the bolts and had it all together in about an hour.
Driving Impressions:
From my house there's a fairly sharp right hand merge onto the highway which I always take quick as it's a fairly short merge lane. Normally I can really feel the car shift/roll to the left. Without looking at my speed I went into it expecting the same pitch to the left but instead found the car to remain flat and my traction control came on for the first time ever around a corner.
I then did some driving around town before heading to the twisty local mountain pass. Definitely feel a more responsive turn in and better hold when setting into a turn. Also the transition between left to right turns is a tighter feel.
Overall I feel more confident in cornering as the car stays flatter without affecting the ride quality. This is something you will feel the more you push the car.
Will it change the world for you? Probably not but if you're sensitive to the handling of your car and like to push it hard on corners then I think this is a good purchase. You will notice the difference and it will make the driving experience more enjoyable.
Any questions or comments please let me know!
Thanks
Attachments
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2014-05-08 10.01.11 (Small).jpg -
2014-05-08 13.14.33 (Small).jpg -
2014-05-08 13.25.50 (Small).jpg
