Everything you ever wanted to know about H-sport sway bars (almost!)

**Stevelev** · 04-22-2008 02:04 PM

In my plight to determine which H-sports to get, I spoke with Hotchkis directly and obtained some info not necessarily available in the public domain. I'm still uncertain of the difference in stiffness between the OEM bars but finally got the differences between the H-sport rears. Here's the info I've been able to obtain directly from Hotchkis:

RS4 H-sports
35mmF and 29mm rear
Front 60% stiffer/ Rear +235%, and +305% stiffer than OEM
90% stiffer than S4 H-sport rear

S4 H-Sports
35mm front and 24mm rear
Front 60% stiffer/ Rear +145% & 215% stiffer than pre-2007 OEM (2007+ come with RS4 rear)
30% stiffer than A4 H-sport rear

A4 H-sports
35 mm front and 22 mm rear
Front: +60% stiffer/ Rear: +120% & +150% stiffer than OEM

Now wouldn't a GB on these be great ??

**channad** · 04-22-2008 02:11 PM

so, you're planning to get both the front and rear? I was thinking of getting just the rear. I hear the rear takes the understeer out, but the front one puts it back in.

I'm just confused on which to buy. Can I get them separately? I know if I buy the set, it'll be a lot cheaper.

**Stevelev** · 04-22-2008 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by channad

so, you're planning to get both the front and rear? I was thinking of getting just the rear. I hear the rear takes the understeer out, but the front one puts it back in.

I'm just confused on which to buy. Can I get them separately? I know if I buy the set, it'll be a lot cheaper.

Yup, I'll be getting the RS4 set - they're backordered until the end of the week. You're correct that the rear will "reduce" understeer and the front has the opposite effect; however, the front also provides a nice improvement in turn-in which is what I'm looking for. Also, by getting the 29 mm rear, I expect to have neutral handling (if not a bit of oversteer). I had them on my B6 and the improvement was quite noticeable. The rear is available on its own for approx $220. (PureMS or Tire Rack) but I suggest you consider the set. Worst case scenario, you could always sell your rear bar (OEM RS4) with the H-sport front to an A4 guy which would be a nice upgrade for the lighter 1.8 or 2.0 cars.

**channad** · 04-22-2008 02:24 PM

so you're saying the understeer that you get from the front bar is worth it for the type of turn-in you will recieve.

**Stevelev** · 04-22-2008 02:28 PM

^ You got it !

**Stevelev** · 04-22-2008 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by channad

so you're saying the understeer that you get from the front bar is worth it for the type of turn-in you will recieve.

that and the 29mm RS4 h-sport rear should provide a nice offset to this with a net result of mild oversteer.

**channad** · 04-22-2008 02:36 PM

well, it looks like I'm sold on the set. However, I will wait until I get 3 or 4 track days under my belt. I want to see how the car is in stock form first. Then, and only then will I spend the money to make it better.