Swaybar Question

[djvice]

I called the dealer to ask about the RS4 sway bar for my 2006 Audi A4 (FWD). He said there was 2 sizes...20mm and 22mm.

I can understand on the stock A4 and then the s-line model which is either 16mm or 18 mm, but why does the RS4 have 2 different sway bars?

Which should I go with? I'm never going to go tracking...I just want better handling for everyday driving, crazy turns, etc.

Which brand do I go with? ECS Tuning has the H&R model for $170, and the dealer has it for $155. Do you guys recommend another website or brand?

Update
Ok, I found out where the OEM versions are on ECS's website...I just wasen't scrolling down far enough, hence only looking at the pricey H&R ones.

[3.2some]

go with the OEM RS4 22mm. it's cheaper then the H&R and it's proven

[tribe]

The 20mm is for the S4 and the 22mm >RS4. ECS has the OEM bars for $120

If I had to do it again I would go with the 20mm one. the 22mm bar is great but the ride gets a little bit harsh.

[quattrosaint]

go with the OEM RS4 22mm. it's cheaper then the H&R and it's proven

X2

[djvice]

Excellent! Thanks for the quick followup guys. I've decided to go with 20mm swaybar. This will improve my handling (currently have the stock 16mm), and I can retain some of the ride quality, as opposed to going with the RS4 one.

I can get my dealer to bump it down to $155, so I'll be paying the same price was the ECS OEM one ($157 after shipping)...and I'll get getting it right away since my dealer has it in stock.

My next question, what else do I need? Some type of nuts, bolts, spacers, or something?

[Zorfunk]

Get the RS4 bar. Perfectly smooth ride and less understeer. Get it from ECS because it comes with everything you will need

[Sharkfin]

do they include the longer bolts needed to correctly install it? (i've heard that the stock ones are too short)

[Noffy]

All you need is the RS4 rear sway bar, and the the 2 bushings that go with it. Everything else (basically nothing) can be reused from your A4. I did this mod a while back, you can read more about in the "chatterbox- my first mod". Anyways it is a great mod, something that is fairly inexpensive and has a pretty noticeable gain in performance. You with love it on those city driven 'crazy turns' as you say. good luck and let us know what you think afterwards.

[dreamcar=rs4]

haha ive had an rs4 sway bar for about a month and im too lazy to install it. oversteer is in my future

[Sharkfin]

want to sell it to me? lol

[Noffy]

haha ive had an rs4 sway bar for about a month and im too lazy to install it. oversteer is in my future

all I can say is WOW that is lazy.

[INTEGRATION]

haha ive had an rs4 sway bar for about a month and im too lazy to install it. oversteer is in my future

I highly doubt the RS4 rear stabilizer alone is enough to induce oversteer.

[tribe]

do they include the longer bolts needed to correctly install it? (i've heard that the stock ones are too short)

No. Someone said that there are some transmission bolts that are same but longer. I would highly recommend getting them.

I installed it with the original bolts and it's not fun but doable. Just keep small kids away or they will learn foul language prematurely. My main language is spanish so I felt more fluid cussing in my native tongue.

My advice is to "not" use grease! Those bushings are designed for use with no grease. Installers use it because it's easier for them but that will make 'em squeak after a short period of time. You should use WD40 to make them get in there. WD40 dries out completely after a couple of minutes.

The way to do it is: Screw the clamp's upper bolt a couple of turns. Get the bushing in there with WD40, a rubber mallet and some non puncturing small chisel or similar. Once the bushing is in place get a vice grip and clamp the lower lip of the clamp (just the edge of the lip) to make the lower holes align. install the lower bolt and tighten alternatively. Get a beer. The second bushing is easier.

[tribe]

I highly doubt the RS4 rear stabilizer alone is enough to induce oversteer.

It helps a LOT. Believe me. Rather than outright oversteer it makes the car very neutral with a tendency to oversteer when taken slightly beyond the limit. I tested it and I'm happy

[Widget]

Think I'm going to order one today.......

[Noffy]

No. Someone said that there are some transmission bolts that are same but longer. I would highly recommend getting them.

I installed it with the original bolts and it's not fun but doable. Just keep small kids away or they will learn foul language prematurely. My main language is spanish so I felt more fluid cussing in my native tongue.

My advice is to "not" use grease! Those bushings are designed for use with no grease. Installers use it because it's easier for them but that will make 'em squeak after a short period of time. You should use WD40 to make them get in there. WD40 dries out completely after a couple of minutes.

The way to do it is: Screw the clamp's upper bolt a couple of turns. Get the bushing in there with WD40, a rubber mallet and some non puncturing small chisel or similar. Once the bushing is in place get a vice grip and clamp the lower lip of the clamp (just the edge of the lip) to make the lower holes align. install the lower bolt and tighten alternatively. Get a beer. The second bushing is easier.

I have heard the exact opposite. To use lots of grease or you will end up with a squeaky sway bar. I believe my bushing were well lube before installation, I haven't heard a peep out of them.

[tribe]

I have heard the exact opposite. To use lots of grease or you will end up with a squeaky sway bar. I believe my bushing were well lube before installation, I haven't heard a peep out of them.

Yes. I have heard the exact opposite too. But those bushings don't use grease. They don't have grease from factory. They don't have grease retaining grooves; and they mount over other rubber bushings that come pre-installed on the OEM bar so with the pressure (extreme pressure) that the clamps apply, they will work as 'one' piece with no friction or movement whatsoever.

[INTEGRATION]

It helps a LOT. Believe me. Rather than outright oversteer it makes the car very neutral with a tendency to oversteer when taken slightly beyond the limit. I tested it and I'm happy

Really oversteer or rather lift-off oversteer? Cause oversteering at its limits and lift-off (induced) oversteer are very different things.

And about the bushings, OEM rubber bushings do not utilize grease, will not squeak. People grease Poly-urethane bushings, those require some greasing or else they will begin to squeak over time.

[tribe]

Really oversteer or rather lift-off oversteer? Cause oversteering at its limits and lift-off (induced) oversteer are very different things.

Well, you got me there with the techy lexical; English is not my first language. I can say that it is the good oversteer tendency; the type you can control throughout the turn. So it must be lift-off since the tail tends to slightly slide out.

Bests

[INTEGRATION]

Well, you got me there with the techy lexical; English is not my first language. I can say that it is the good oversteer tendency; the type you can control throughout the turn. So it must be lift-off since the tail tends to slightly slide out.

Bests

I'm not trying to put you down, it's not intended to be like that. I'm in the middle of tuning my own suspension, so I'm trying to get good feedback about specific settings on modifications to our cars. From what you're describing you're getting lift-off oversteer: which is a good thing! Because lift-off oversteer is pretty easy to control and it makes diving into corners fun.

[4RingRook]

Would adding a sway bar help improve the non-sport suspension handling, or is it best to lower first (at least the sport suspension)?

My car is going to the dealer this week, and I may have them install the 20mm RS4 rear sway.

[tribe]

I'm not trying to put you down, it's not intended to be like that. I'm in the middle of tuning my own suspension, so I'm trying to get good feedback about specific settings on modifications to our cars. From what you're describing you're getting lift-off oversteer: which is a good thing! Because lift-off oversteer is pretty easy to control and it makes diving into corners fun.