Sway bar kit
09-22-13 | 10:34 AM
#47
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: TX
I clicked on the link in the first post but it was an old listing so I kept clicking the chain down to the newest listing. Unfortunately it's ended and I am unable to find any other aftermarket front/rear sway bar kits on ebay. 
10-19-13 | 03:00 PM
#52
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 24
From: IL
I finally got my front bar on. It is VERY easy, probably 15 min work start to finish. I think I spent more time on taking off the belly pan than the actual bar install/removal.
I reused the stock bushings/brackets, the bushings are for a slightly smaller bar, but they "cram" in there ok. Will see how long they last like that. The factory bushings are good quality and after 201k miles are still in excellent shape.
Adding now the front (I did the rear a while back) the car is nicely firmer than it was with the stock bar. Not as dramatic as the rear only (very good improvement over the stock rear), I love the balance of the aftermarket rear bar and stock front bar. But it needs more front bar too. I'll give some better drive testing in the next week.
I reused the stock bushings/brackets, the bushings are for a slightly smaller bar, but they "cram" in there ok. Will see how long they last like that. The factory bushings are good quality and after 201k miles are still in excellent shape.
Adding now the front (I did the rear a while back) the car is nicely firmer than it was with the stock bar. Not as dramatic as the rear only (very good improvement over the stock rear), I love the balance of the aftermarket rear bar and stock front bar. But it needs more front bar too. I'll give some better drive testing in the next week.
10-19-13 | 03:19 PM
#53
I've been running with only the front for a while now as each one of the rear bracket bolts broke while removing them... tried drilling them out and retapping and didn't workout so well; no clue what to do now
10-19-13 | 03:51 PM
#54
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 24
From: IL
Post pictures, I broke 3 of the 4 bolts and had the drill them out (cobalt bits) and then put in a bolt with a nut. Was a pain, but it worked fine. I drove it for a week or so with no rear bar till I got it done. Drives fine, just not as good in corners.
10-19-13 | 05:08 PM
#55
Thread Starter
5% Club. Killing it!!!
iTrader: (15)
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,942
Likes: 64
From: FL
So u have the stock bar in front or aftermarket bar with stock bushings?
you can always buy the energy suspension bushings as replacements
Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup
you can always buy the energy suspension bushings as replacements
Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup
10-19-13 | 07:05 PM
#56
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-F-R-Sway-Bars-1998-2005-GS300-2001-2004-GS430-1998-2000-GS400-NEW-EMUSA-/281174518921?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item41774eac89&vxp=mtr
10-19-13 | 08:12 PM
#57
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 24
From: IL
I bought this set a while back and put only the rear on first, for several months (read my posts on this thread), but finally today got around to putting on the front bar. I lost the new bushings and bracket, but I didn't like them anyway. So I reused the stock bushings. It is a bit tight, but factory bushings, not cheap rubber. A reasonably high durometer rubber, and now squished pretty good.
Would love larger bars, as Herb Adams once said, he hasn't a bar too big...
Are you talking solid or hollow bars? For the weight I think I would rather stay hollow.
I would like to see around a 37-38mm front and least a 33-35 rear. Around a 5-6mm wall thickness. I would have to put some thought into it, but if we can make it an adjustable lever, that is a BIG plus. The adjustibility is really the key to make a great handling car even better. The rear is easy, very simple bar. Front is little harder, but still not bad at all.
I have some rare killer Rancho Challenger GTIII bars on my 80 Turbo T/A, 1.25" front, 1" rear, solid, and adjustable lever. How strong? One of the worlds strongest, 900 lb/in deflection in front. The vaunted Herb Adams or HO Racing bars at 1 3/8" were only 550 lb/in. And they are the biggest out there for the B/D/G/F body cars. But the bars are not made anymore and never made in large volumes. Most cars who claim to not lean have no idea what it means to not lean.... The bars power stripped the bolts right out of my frame. But the cornering power was fantastic.
Would love larger bars, as Herb Adams once said, he hasn't a bar too big...
Are you talking solid or hollow bars? For the weight I think I would rather stay hollow.
I would like to see around a 37-38mm front and least a 33-35 rear. Around a 5-6mm wall thickness. I would have to put some thought into it, but if we can make it an adjustable lever, that is a BIG plus. The adjustibility is really the key to make a great handling car even better. The rear is easy, very simple bar. Front is little harder, but still not bad at all.
I have some rare killer Rancho Challenger GTIII bars on my 80 Turbo T/A, 1.25" front, 1" rear, solid, and adjustable lever. How strong? One of the worlds strongest, 900 lb/in deflection in front. The vaunted Herb Adams or HO Racing bars at 1 3/8" were only 550 lb/in. And they are the biggest out there for the B/D/G/F body cars. But the bars are not made anymore and never made in large volumes. Most cars who claim to not lean have no idea what it means to not lean.... The bars power stripped the bolts right out of my frame. But the cornering power was fantastic.
10-20-13 | 02:11 AM
#59
I'm running the aftermarket one with the bushings they provided; I'll probably do the same with the rear although I've noticed that the bushings EMUSA provided are shaped slightly different from the stock ones.