Hotchkis Sway Bars installed (pics)

[Triton]

I got the Hotchkis sway bars installed today! I have to say that they are one of the best mods that I have done to the Vibe. The car handles beautifully, taking corners like a dream! I never thought a wagon could handle like a go-cart!I have to thank Mike (cohocarl) for selling them to me and installing them and (removed) (rasermon) for his help installing them and taking pics. Like Mike said in his installation post: The process involves removing and re-installing significant structural and steering components on the car. Incorrect re-installment of these components could lead to steering failure, and result in serious injury to yourself and others. IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR ABILITIES TO CORRECTLY (AND SAFELY) RE-ASSEMBLE YOUR CAR, TAKE IT TO A SHOP AND HAVE THEM DO IT!Here are some pics:Pic 1:

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[Triton]

Pic 2:

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[Triton]

Pic 3:

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[Triton]

Pic 4:

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[Keely]

That's interesting, particularly since you already had a strut bar installed on your vehicle - so it makes that much difference to add sway bars?

[AKLGT]

that looks great triton! one day i'll install some too.. that day is a long way down the road! LOL

[rasermon]

The install went smooth. Thanks to Mike's knowledge with his previous install we was done in less than three hours. After the install Aaron and I went for a test ride. He took a corner so fast I thought we were going to roll. Not at all, they really make it corner flat with hardly any body roll at all. I'm sure the 18's, low profile tires help out too.Mini Mod Meets are also fun! BTW Mike, Happy Birthday.

[cohocarl]

Quote, originally posted by rasermon »Mini Mod Meets are also fun! BTW Mike, Happy Birthday. Yes, it was nice seeing you two again! I do enjoy working on cars and doing mods like that. The bars do make it corner flat!.

[AKLGT]

awww.. now why'd you have to go and tell me that! now i'm gonna want some really bad! oh well, i'll add those to my list of things to do to the vibe when i hit the jackpot! LOL

[cohocarl]

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »Too bad I did not know about you guys installing them because I could of helped also if you wanted.Sorry Silver, we should have let you know. We decided just yesterday that we were going to do it today.

[Triton]

Quote, originally posted by Keely »That's interesting, particularly since you already had a strut bar installed on your vehicle - so it makes that much difference to add sway bars?The strut bar will actually create understeer, making it feel like the nose of the car is pushing in hard cornering. If you have a strut bar, you should at least upgrade your rear sway bar. I was just waiting until I could get both. It definitely makes a huge difference! Love it!Rob, we would have let you know, but it was a last second decision to get togther. If you need some help, give me an IM. I'll be more than happy to help as much as I can.And Mike, happy birthday and happy anniversary! Thanks again guys!

[drummerdude]

I have a question... If you took your car into the dealer for regular maintenance work (oil changes, tire rotations) would they note the mods you have and if you ever come back with a problem they void your warranty because of your mods(CAI, tower bar, swaybars... etc.) just something that i was wondering because i need to take my car in for some maint. and i don't want them freaking out and voiding my warranty!

[Psychobroker]

Quote, originally posted by drummerdude »I have a question... If you took your car into the dealer for regular maintenance work (oil changes, tire rotations) would they note the mods you have and if you ever come back with a problem they void your warranty because of your mods(CAI, tower bar, swaybars... etc.) just something that i was wondering because i need to take my car in for some maint. and i don't want them freaking out and voiding my warranty!the dealer/manufactuer will have to prove that the failure was caused by a specific mod or mods. they cannot simply void your entire warranty. print a copy of the Magnuson-Moss Act: http://www.matrixvibe.net/foru...=2252 and keep it in your glove box Very nice sway bars Aaron

[blk182@n7]

great sway install I just need the front one installed did you by chance drive it with just the rear and the stb? also Psychobroker the Magnuson-Moss Act everyone should read and understand great info thanks again

[Celtic_Curse]

So you have to take the STB off after you install the sway bars? Is that what you are saying?

[goodvibe]

One has very little to do with the other. A STB stiffens the towers to stop them from deflecting from side loads and dosen't effect the balance of a Vibe much. Madbill showed that our strur towers do not deflect and if they did, the stb slightly effect the limits but will help transitions and rough road handling more. Sway bars can radically change overall balance. An stb is a tweek.

[Dezz1]

Thanks for the information on the Stabilization bar for the towers. I was wondering if it would make too much of a difference on my car because as stated before, the towers are set back close to the fire wall, which adds additional rigidity.

[polaris1000]

I thought over on Matrixowners I saw someone saying that all you really need is to lower your car, get a STB and a rear sway bar to stiffen up the suspenion and that the front sway bar was not that useful. Is this true or is a front sway bar really that helpful.

[FusionVGT]

Quote, originally posted by polaris1000 »I thought over on Matrixowners I saw someone saying that all you really need is to lower your car, get a STB and a rear sway bar to stiffen up the suspenion and that the front sway bar was not that useful. Is this true or is a front sway bar really that helpful. I've got Eibach ProKit springs and a TRD STB. I've also run both the Progress rear bar and now the Hotchkiss set. The Hotchkiss is worth the time and money.

[cohocarl]

Quote, originally posted by polaris1000 »the front sway bar was not that useful. Is this true or is a front sway bar really that helpful. Having driven mine with a progress rear bar first, then added a strut tower bar, then Hotchkis bars front and rear, then Hotchkis springs.....the stb didn't do much at all, the progress rear bar alone helped a little, but the front bar made the most impressive change. Especially along with the Hotchkis springs. I think whoever said the front bar isn't needed has never driven a Vibe/Matrix with a Hotchkis front bar.

[Roadpig]

front bar made the most impressive changeWell that's good to know. This will be my next mod for the Vibe, both front & rear. Now where is a good place to buy the front & rear sway bars. I'm asking because ptuning really isn't that cheap since I feel like the Magnaflow was a rip there, plus I'm live in VA so the 5% "discount" is offset by the 4.5% sales tax

[cohocarl]

Quote, originally posted by Roadpig »Now where is a good place to buy the front & rear sway bars. I ordered mine direclty from Hotchkis. I don't know if the are still giving a discount for Genvibe members or not, but it's worth asking.