Upgraded Stabilizer Bars?
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Upgraded Stabilizer Bars?
Hello, new to this forum; first time Lexus owner. I moved from a VW Touareg to an RX450H. The VW suffered constant breakdowns and very expensive repairs; new $11,000 engine at 35k miles, out of warranty, and that was just one of many major repairs with horrible support from VW. Never Again!
I love the RX but I’m somewhat disappointed with the handling. After the Touareg, I feel like I have to take corners slower due to body roll. Has anyone upgraded to stiffer stabilizer bar(s)? I’m not looking for racecar stability, just something that will keep the car from leaning so much in curves.
Does anyone know of an aftermarket source for upgraded RX stabilizer bars?
Thanks!
I love the RX but I’m somewhat disappointed with the handling. After the Touareg, I feel like I have to take corners slower due to body roll. Has anyone upgraded to stiffer stabilizer bar(s)? I’m not looking for racecar stability, just something that will keep the car from leaning so much in curves.
Does anyone know of an aftermarket source for upgraded RX stabilizer bars?
Thanks!
#2
Nope, but if you find them I think this would be a great upgrade. Agree with you she's no corner carver....but I knew that when I bought it.
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ggebhardt (09-13-17)
#3
Pole Position
I remember putting HD stabilizer bars on a TR6 and the ride went from firm to harsh!
Not sure I would ever do that again.
Not sure I would ever do that again.
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FastFord (09-14-17)
#4
Intermediate
Changing the chassis setting from normal to sport helps, firmer ride, more stability in corners.
After using sport I went back to normal. It's a softer ride and I use sport or sport+ when I want more stability in the corners. If I want more stability and speed in twisties, I just jump on my fast motorcycle!!
After using sport I went back to normal. It's a softer ride and I use sport or sport+ when I want more stability in the corners. If I want more stability and speed in twisties, I just jump on my fast motorcycle!!
#5
Rookie
Thread Starter
I once upgraded a Toyota Solera with a TRD rear stabilizer and handling was greatly improved with only very minor effect on comfort. The improvement was so significant that I ordered a front stabilizer upgrade from an Australian performance vendor. That’s when things got harsh. I was OK with it because I loved the improved handling but the ride comfort definitely suffered. I’m looking for a mild upgrade to hit that midpoint where stability is improved without sacrificing too much comfort.
#6
Pole Position
…but a TR6 suspension was already tuned for handling vs. comfort.
I once upgraded a Toyota Solera with a TRD rear stabilizer and handling was greatly improved with only very minor effect on comfort. The improvement was so significant that I ordered a front stabilizer upgrade from an Australian performance vendor. That’s when things got harsh. I was OK with it because I loved the improved handling but the ride comfort definitely suffered. I’m looking for a mild upgrade to hit that midpoint where stability is improved without sacrificing too much comfort.
I once upgraded a Toyota Solera with a TRD rear stabilizer and handling was greatly improved with only very minor effect on comfort. The improvement was so significant that I ordered a front stabilizer upgrade from an Australian performance vendor. That’s when things got harsh. I was OK with it because I loved the improved handling but the ride comfort definitely suffered. I’m looking for a mild upgrade to hit that midpoint where stability is improved without sacrificing too much comfort.
#7
Driver School Candidate
I have the F-Sport and when we were test driving the RX's I did notice the F-Sport handled better on corners than the non-F-Sport RX, Not sure if they have different sway bars, but if they do and if yours isn't an F-Sport see if you can order the different sway bar.
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#8
Rookie
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info. Mine is not an F Sport. I looked into part numbers and it looks like they are the same for both models. The F Sport gains its handling advantage from the "Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system". I 'assume' the shock absorbers on the F Sports are like the Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MSRC) dampers showing up on a lot of performance cars. They adjust instantaneously to changing road conditions.
Last edited by RollingBlu; 09-14-17 at 05:41 AM.
#9
#10
Ok. Here is what I found out or know. The 4th gens RX350 in north america - handling sucks... Japan has different parts numbers for different sway bars, springs, shocks, etc... I have a non F Sport and it handles like my dad's mid 70's lincoln continental town car. It is Floaty HORRIBLE!!! Lexus needs to take note. I left a BMW X series SAV and miss it, but don't miss it always being in the shop for service. The closest sourcing that you might be able to use springs, shocks and sway/stabilizer bars from is the 2016-18 Toyota highlander. I've heard both sides of the story about F-Sport sway bars, shocks and springs being a bit stiffer and then others say they're the same. The main way that the F-Sport controls its ride is with their adaptive variable suspension (avs). It is an electronically controlled damper. It is NOT a Magnaride system like on some BMW's and Chevy's. Lexus doesn't even know or care. I even called corporate multiple times to get to talk to someone and it was a no go. Even their corporate facebook messenger page hasn't been much of a help. I've heard that the 2020 & 2021 models have larger sway bars stiffer springs and shocks, but up until last month couldn't source any of those parts. I just stopped looking. Got way too frustrated. I did upgrade brake rotors to slotted and cross drilled with upgraded pads and now the darn thing finally stops as it should. I also have an email out to Magnuson Superchargers since I see they make a supercharger kit for the Toyota Tacoma that uses the same V6 that's in the RX. Lexus needs a division like TRD maybe they could call it LRD or something like that. It would be nice if this thread spools up again... I hate it when a company shuns enthusiasts and just makes cars high performance and not SUV's. They are trying to lure away BMW, Mercedes customers with looks and not the muscle to back up their good looks.
Last edited by Emaniat; 01-27-21 at 05:13 AM.
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RollingBlu (01-27-21)
#12
Lexus has kept their eye on the ball, with the RX, and their sales volumes and reliability ratings are the proof. They offer the F-Sport, which of course is not really "sporty" in the normal meaning of the word, it's just a firmer-suspended version of the base model, with a noisy resonator on the intake and 20" wheels. LOL
Seriously, one would think one of the aftermarket outfits would come up with a set of stabilizer and sway bars, and firmer springs, to take the stock suspension up a notch. I wonder if liability concerns are preventing it.
Seriously, one would think one of the aftermarket outfits would come up with a set of stabilizer and sway bars, and firmer springs, to take the stock suspension up a notch. I wonder if liability concerns are preventing it.
#13
It would be nice if we got the Australian version that has the f sport suspension with the luxury seating. I’m not a big or wide guy and the
f-sport seats were just plain painful. Why can’t they option a 22 way seat like the LS460 or 500 have? It’s like the project is just half baked.
f-sport seats were just plain painful. Why can’t they option a 22 way seat like the LS460 or 500 have? It’s like the project is just half baked.
Last edited by Emaniat; 01-27-21 at 08:13 AM.
#14
Thats where a magnaride system would be great. Then it hits a wider target market generating more sales and more $$$ and more people are all happy...
#15
Pit Crew
Hello, new to this forum; first time Lexus owner. I moved from a VW Touareg to an RX450H. The VW suffered constant breakdowns and very expensive repairs; new $11,000 engine at 35k miles, out of warranty, and that was just one of many major repairs with horrible support from VW. Never Again!
I love the RX but I’m somewhat disappointed with the handling. After the Touareg, I feel like I have to take corners slower due to body roll. Has anyone upgraded to stiffer stabilizer bar(s)? I’m not looking for racecar stability, just something that will keep the car from leaning so much in curves.
Does anyone know of an aftermarket source for upgraded RX stabilizer bars?
Thanks!
I love the RX but I’m somewhat disappointed with the handling. After the Touareg, I feel like I have to take corners slower due to body roll. Has anyone upgraded to stiffer stabilizer bar(s)? I’m not looking for racecar stability, just something that will keep the car from leaning so much in curves.
Does anyone know of an aftermarket source for upgraded RX stabilizer bars?
Thanks!