| Author |
Message |
PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
|
 Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 10:53 pm Post subject: Whiteline Sway Bars obsolete |
 |
|
Checked today with all the sources that might have a Whiteline front sway bar for the vanagon and got the following responses:
from Whiteline - "Yep, thats correct mate, if you look on the net you will only see the rear."
from Aircooled.net - "no, we sold our last one last week. We have rear though. They made them special for us, but they took so long to sell we aren't making any more."
Whiteline sent me this link: www.selbys.com.au Seems they have them but cost with shipping is just over $400.
The guys that get them lucked out! Any other alternatives besides Addco?
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
JeffRobenolt
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1513
Location: Wisconsin
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 6:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
What do you have against Addco?
_________________
--------------------------------------------------------
| jfats808 wrote: |
| Most, some, few is not all. You can always learn something from everyone , even the fool. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5391
Location: PNW
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
This is just my opinion, but I wouldn't steer away from the Addco bars. The front bar does (or did - may be solved by now) have it's hardware issue, but it's fairly minor and is covered in detail in the big sway bar thread. The bars themselves are perfectly fine. As far as I know, there are no issues with the rear bar, as long as you purchase the correct part number (488).
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JeffRobenolt
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1513
Location: Wisconsin
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
I just ordered some Addco bars and I figure the mounting hardware are probably going to be modified or I'll just use the Energy Suspension hardware.
There tech John says they made the tabs longer, will see.
It will be still cost effective.
_________________
--------------------------------------------------------
| jfats808 wrote: |
| Most, some, few is not all. You can always learn something from everyone , even the fool. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ProvoCyclist
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2004
Posts: 593
Location: Murray, Utah
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
When i got my Addco bars like a year ago, they had included the proper mounting pieces. Time to chill out about it.
_________________
Clark
Current: 1986 Tintop GL 2wd, stock 2.1L, manual trans, Flash Silver LP7Y.
Past: 1985 Sunroof GL, 2wd, Subaru 3.3L, manual trans, resprayed to Diamond Silver L97A |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gorge Runner
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2008
Posts: 199
Location: Portland, OR
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hey PDX!
Most of this thread is unrelated to performance. There may be some QC issues with the parts packaging and some customer services issues with the supplier, but overall the sway bars perform really good. I didn't notice negative performance reviews just a little pissing and moaning about missing washers and really long delays between time of purchase and actual delivery--that's not the fault of the sway bars.
Installation gripes:
• instructions were less than perfect
• parts kit was missing a couple washers
• I'm not super jiggy with the stacks of washers and bushings on the rear bar, but it has been trouble-free
After three years of use here are my gripes:
• bushings can get very squeaky and require periodic lubrication
• one time the the passenger side bushing slipped out of the bracket--hasn't since
Benefits:
• vastly improved handling
• resists wind buffeting much better making the more comfortable for your passengers
Installation really wasn't that difficult despite the ambiguities in the instructions. Seems reasonable to me to have to drill a few holes to install a suspension component where none existed previously. In any event, its about how the bars perform. I'm totally happy with improvements to handling and have no problem recommending them to anyone.
Marc
_________________
91 Carat
EJ205 WRX |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Where have people been ordering the bars from? I had trouble finding them on-line. Thanks.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
funagon
Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2006
Posts: 1308
Location: SLC, UT
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
I just found them here:
http://www.bus-boys.com/bbswaybr.htm
$280 front and $280 rear. Hey, don't buy 'em out, I might want a set of those.
_________________
1990 GL 7-passenger
2.2 liter WBX |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gorge Runner
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2008
Posts: 199
Location: Portland, OR
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
http://www.performancecenter.com
Paid about $150 each in August of 2005.
Marc
_________________
91 Carat
EJ205 WRX |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10379
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Gorge Runner wrote: |
.....
Benefits:
• resists wind buffeting much better making the more comfortable for your passengers
Marc |
That's good to know Marc. Thanks.
I was curious if there was any real improvement in that regard. I'd be all over installing/upgrading sway bars if it improved resistance to cross winds/buffeting.
Anyone else have comments regarding improved cross wind resistance when using upgraded sway bars?
To realize any real improvement, does one need front and rear sway bars? Or would just an upgrade to rear help?
Thanks!
Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gorge Runner
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2008
Posts: 199
Location: Portland, OR
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
"To realize any real improvement, does one need front and rear sway bars? Or would just an upgrade to rear help?"
When I bought the front and rear, I already had a front sway bar, but looked at the replacement as a matched set. Besides, if you only replace the rear bar, its just a matter of time before you convince yourself you need the front too.
Marc
_________________
91 Carat
EJ205 WRX |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5391
Location: PNW
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Vanagon Nut wrote: |
Anyone else have comments regarding improved cross wind resistance when using upgraded sway bars?
To realize any real improvement, does one need front and rear sway bars? Or would just an upgrade to rear help?
|
Unless your 1981 van has been upgraded, it will have a 19mm bar. The later vans came with 21mm bars. On your van, the improvement from a 19mm bar to a 25mm front bar (Addco) will be dramatic. The 25mm (1.00") bar will be roughly 200% stiffer over the smaller 19mm (0.75")bar (Stiffness = Diameter to the 4th power). That in itself is a HUGE improvement. And just for the record, the 25mm bar is roughly 100% stiffer over the 21mm bar.
The addition of the rear bar will definitely help reduce side sway, but at the cost of limiting traction to the inside rear wheel during cornering. The addition of a rear bar can also induce oversteer under the right circumstances. This usually isn't something that the average Vanagon owner needs to worry about though.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10379
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 11:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks. I had read *some* of it. Could have read more I guess.  
Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10379
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 11:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
| loogy wrote: |
| Vanagon Nut wrote: |
Anyone else have comments regarding improved cross wind resistance when using upgraded sway bars?
To realize any real improvement, does one need front and rear sway bars? Or would just an upgrade to rear help?
|
Unless your 1981 van has been upgraded, it will have a 19mm bar. The later vans came with 21mm bars. On your van, the improvement from a 19mm bar to a 25mm front bar (Addco) will be dramatic. The 25mm (1.00") bar will be roughly 200% stiffer over the smaller 19mm (0.75")bar (Stiffness = Diameter to the 4th power). That in itself is a HUGE improvement. And just for the record, the 25mm bar is roughly 100% stiffer over the 21mm bar.
The addition of the rear bar will definitely help reduce side sway, but at the cost of limiting traction to the inside rear wheel during cornering. The addition of a rear bar can also induce oversteer under the right circumstances. This usually isn't something that the average Vanagon owner needs to worry about though. |
Cool info. Thanks Loogy. I plan on running 14" wheels/new Yoko 195's for a while, so it may be that a sway bar "kills two birds" so to speak.
Yah, when first purchased, it was missing the front sway bar. Mechanic said he installed one from a '91. I should measure to see.
Food for thought.
Marc and PDX, thanks for links etc.
Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
a914622
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 840
Location: Westend of HWY2 , Wash
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hey
I found Addco bars at shox.com. Not a bad price. I think it was 159.00 rear?? I was ordering Konis and just glanced at all they offered for the vanagons.
" Konis are out of stock by the way"
jcl
_________________
87 gl powerd buy 2.5subaru
75 914 getting 2.2t subaru scratch that SVX subaru |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JeffRobenolt
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1513
Location: Wisconsin
|
| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 1:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
For the Addco's make sure you get the 719 for the front and 488 for the rear no matter what year van you have.
Jeg's has them w/ free shipping.
_________________
--------------------------------------------------------
| jfats808 wrote: |
| Most, some, few is not all. You can always learn something from everyone , even the fool. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
