GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I recently put on a Hotchkis rear sway bar on and I find that I am continuously having to re-torque the bolts holding it in place. I torqued the bolts to 144 ft/lbs and used Lock-tite blue.Am I missing something?I know a baboon could tighten two bolts but should I have replaced them?

http://www.hotchkis.net/_uploa...e.pdf150 is the spec and they do recommend blue Loc-Tite, but if you don't trust that, use the red, and/or replace the hardware using grade 8 spec w/locking nuts.

I used the specs off of the Haynes manual but I will give that a shot. I also bought new hardware just in case.

He installed a REAR sway bar. On the Vibe/Matrix/Corrolla they do not have end links. Plus we've already established that the torque spec is between 144-150ft.lbs.

yep re torqued the sway bar again and nothing changed after looking at it the damn welds let go on the Hotchkis one. I put the stocker on for now.

I had the same prob pull them out put red lock tight on them no problems agin. oh and i tightend the $^#$ out of them lol

3 questions please:

1. Does it make a huge difference in cornering with the bigger rear sway bar? ...or just a little better?

2. Did it make the ride quality a tad more harsh or stiffer in everyday driving?

3. Where to purchase any brand rear sway bar at the best price?


Thanks

Sliverado Desperado wrote:3 questions please:

1. Does it make a huge difference in cornering with the bigger rear sway bar? ...or just a little better?

2. Did it make the ride quality a tad more harsh or stiffer in everyday driving?

3. Where to purchase any brand rear sway bar at the best price?


Thanks

I'm going to bump this up because you never got an answer. I cannot say for just the rear bar. I installed the TRD kit for the '03-'08 Matrix/Corolla and this was both the front and rear bars. Supposedly made by Hotchkiss but not available thru them any longer. The car stays glued to the road, it will take corners way faster than I care to try.

It was a noticeable difference with both bars replaced. Ride quality is not affected by sway bars in any car. Be prepared to spend big bucks for the TRD bars and lots of work to replace the front. I did a thread on the whole thing.

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=38341

Never had the rear bar come loose, used blue locktite (the new gel type) and torqued to 150 lb/ft. about 15K miles now and it is still tight, I check it every oil change since first reading this thread.

Charles

I have the Hotchkis bars in the front and back. I put on the back first and noticed a significant difference. When I got around to installing the front I did not notice a big difference. I installed them last summer, and now I am hearing a clunkish sound (I pretty sure its the rear bar) when go over bumps, especially this one pot hole in my alley. I used locktite.... but does noise mean its coming loose? The bolts still seem really tight. Any ideas?

As for the ride quality....its awesome on smooth roads, it feels nice and planted, and it make corners a lot of fun. The ride quality sucks on uneven or beat up roads (like my alley) and it gets obnoxious.. lol.

Hotchkis was selling both bars on ebay last summer. I am pretty sure they went fast and I think I got lucky, they only had 3 more when i bought my set. They were close to $230.95 for the pair plus $14 for shipping.

Yes that sound is they are coming loose use red and re-tighten.

mac99d wrote:Yes that sound is they are coming loose use red and re-tighten.

sounds good, Thanks!

He installed a REAR sway bar. On the Vibe/Matrix/Corrolla they do not have end links.

The AWD ones do.

Is there a bar avalible for the AWD models? What about polyurethane bushings?

I used Red locktite on my bar when it was installed @7620 miles, and tightened to 150fl/lbs. Now at 140,000 miles it's never needed retighteng.

I found the car was easier to turn in and rotate with otherwise stock suspension.

09SnowyVibe wrote:

He installed a REAR sway bar. On the Vibe/Matrix/Corrolla they do not have end links.

The AWD ones do.

Is there a bar avalible for the AWD models? What about polyurethane bushings?

The 03-08 AWD's share the rear suspension with the 00-05 Celica
Not sure about the 09-10's.

That's interesting to know..

Haven't noticed any difference in the suspension on the newer ones though.

TRD makes a rear sway bar for the 2009-2010 Vibe/2009+ Matrix, but it will not fit the 2009-2010 Vibe GT or AWD because they both have IRS (Independent Rear Suspension), whereas the Base models do not.

I had TRD sway bars on my 2003 matrix and the rear bar made lots of creaking because I didn't have it tigh enough. 140 foot pounds did it. No lock tight

Old thread, Jim, but since we're on it... haha

I installed a Progress rear anti sway. Creaked hard first good turn and then never again. Never needed retorquing, never needed new bolts - used the stockers, never needed in lock-tite of any kind. Not that it matters since everyone seems to have a different xp. Oh, and I used whatever torque the Toyota Matrix manual suggested. I do not recall offhand.

Anti sway bar made quite a difference in handling. When I installed mine, I only had Tokico blues and front strut tower bar.