Swaybars opinions.... rear only or go with the set?

[quickglx]

Since the eurocode bars are on sale for a few more days, I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on those.... but I'm curious, would I be better off with just the 034 rear bar? I'm basically looking just to improve the handling feel of the car. From previous cars I think this will be better accomplished with a matched set such as the ecode bars.... Most likely leaving the factory springs and struts in place as I am not looking to lower the car at this point, I have the standard suspension.This is my daily driver, no track use in my future either unfortunately

[Evan2]

Not an expert but read a few threads on here. Many stated that if you have the CR15 front bar the rear sway is more than enough for non track goers. 034 states their design it to go with a stock front sway, I just installed the 034 Rear Sway and it is awesome. Though that EC price is hard to beat, I would be tempted to buy it and even sell the front.

[Bmil128]

I have the 034 rear bar and love it but it is key no matter which way you go is to also upgrade the end links all around.

[waxxonMTL]

i got the set and find no downside to it. just positive.

[Evan2]

I have the 034 rear bar and love it but it is key no matter which way you go is to also upgrade the end links all around.

Yes, I went with moog end links in rear, will eventually do the fronts. Much cheaper option.

[MrFunk]

I ran a rear HR for a couple years. Good improvement.
Added front HR (on softest setting) and improved turn in and steering response quite a bit. I also added end links all round when I did the front.
I'd suggest start with rear and then decide if you want to dial it in more.

[Audi Advocate]

Since the eurocode bars are on sale for a few more days, I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on those.... but I'm curious, would I be better off with just the 034 rear bar? I'm basically looking just to improve the handling feel of the car. From previous cars I think this will be better accomplished with a matched set such as the ecode bars.... Most likely leaving the factory springs and struts in place as I am not looking to lower the car at this point, I have the standard suspension.This is my daily driver, no track use in my future either unfortunately

If you like to throw it around or casually track go rear sway only. The car will rotate very nicely - esp with the Sports Diff. My Tuner reco'd this set-up and I am very pleased.

[tdowns7529]

Not an expert but read a few threads on here. Many stated that if you have the CR15 front bar the rear sway is more than enough for non track goers. 034 states their design it to go with a stock front sway, I just installed the 034 Rear Sway and it is awesome. Though that EC price is hard to beat, I would be tempted to buy it and even sell the front.

This

[yjypm]

Installed 034's rear sway w/ their end links some time ago and really love it.
I kick the rear end a lot more often on throttle than stock on the intersection in front of my home when merging into a larger street, even with esp on.
I am not sure if you will be faster on the track but it does add a lot of fun. I feel the rear end a lot more playful than stock.

[quickglx]

I'm thinking about going with the EC setup as Evan2 suggested and trying it since it is priced nicely right now.... And sell the front if needed then. Seems the rear bars are similarly sized (26mm EC, 25.4mm for 034) Assuming similar metallurgy and design they may behave approximately the same? Definately an assumption, but guessing I would not be able to distinguish the difference in a blind test

[Dakkath]

EC set, with links hands down... get your go-kart on!

[S4'ed]

I have the EC front and rear, both set to stiff, stock endlinks, stock springs and shocks. Feels perfect, best mod I have done, minimal reduction of ride comfort, corners "on-rails". I also added the CR-15 chassis brace, a subtle improvement, not significant change like the EC anti-roll bars.

[eurotic]

I'm thinking about going with the EC setup as Evan2 suggested and trying it since it is priced nicely right now.... And sell the front if needed then. Seems the rear bars are similarly sized (26mm EC, 25.4mm for 034) Assuming similar metallurgy and design they may behave approximately the same? Definately an assumption, but guessing I would not be able to distinguish the difference in a blind test

That's part of it (a big part obviously) but it is also the geometry of the bar, where the mount points are in relation to each other, hence the way bars are made adjustable.

[Evan2]

I'm thinking about going with the EC setup as Evan2 suggested and trying it since it is priced nicely right now.... And sell the front if needed then. Seems the rear bars are similarly sized (26mm EC, 25.4mm for 034) Assuming similar metallurgy and design they may behave approximately the same? Definately an assumption, but guessing I would not be able to distinguish the difference in a blind test

The 034 Sway Brackets are sexy and very functional with the Zerk fittings though. I believe the EC retain the stock and those horrible Trip square bolts.

[torinalth]

I went with the front and rear set, with moog links, and the CR-15. I don't want anything else for suspension, but will probably lower due to wanting the look but that'll be a bit before I decide on what to do. To the guy that said only rear and CR-15.... no. that will be subjective. that person would probably be fine with just a rear bar. The CR-15 stiffens the structure but does not play into the dynamics of the car like the sway bars do. but again, the car's dynamic is also dependent on the person in question.

[14S4GWM]

I have all 3 bars and upgraded end links and wouldn't want it any other way.

[eurotic]

I ran a rear HR for a couple years. Good improvement.
Added front HR (on softest setting) and improved turn in and steering response quite a bit. I also added end links all round when I did the front.
I'd suggest start with rear and then decide if you want to dial it in more.

The H&R sway bar description says "come equipped with exclusive Urethane/Teflon composite bushings featuring a molded-in fabric-like material that requires no maintenance or lubrication, and eliminates squeaking." How have you found these bars in regards to those claims? I looks like you get some descent snow and below freezing temps, any negative effects to your sway bar set-up.

I'm struggling with which bars to get...thinking H&R, Hotchkis or Eurocode. ALthough it sounds like everyone likes the bars they have and the only negative things I have heard is the end-links getting noisy and needing rebuilding but it seems booting the ends helps in that regards. Do you have any experience with those issues?


Shawn

[14S4GWM]

^ The new 034 rear bar has a zirk fitting for greasing the bushing which is nice. They only sell the rear though. As far as endlinks you could go with the Moog front and rear endlinks for less then $100, they are not adjustable and don't need rebuilding over time. Quite a few guys have complained about the shperical endlinks which is why I steered clear of them. I nave the Eurocode f/r sways and love them. You could also look into purchasing the cr-15 upper bar for a nice cheap mod from member u2nelson, he manufacturers them.

[MrFunk]

The H&R sway bar description says "come equipped with exclusive Urethane/Teflon composite bushings featuring a molded-in fabric-like material that requires no maintenance or lubrication, and eliminates squeaking." How have you found these bars in regards to those claims? I looks like you get some descent snow and below freezing temps, any negative effects to your sway bar set-up.

I'm struggling with which bars to get...thinking H&R, Hotchkis or Eurocode. ALthough it sounds like everyone likes the bars they have and the only negative things I have heard is the end-links getting noisy and needing rebuilding but it seems booting the ends helps in that regards. Do you have any experience with those issues?


Shawn

I have not had any issues. These have been installed for years now.

Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk

[bhvrdr]

The H&R sway bar description says "come equipped with exclusive Urethane/Teflon composite bushings featuring a molded-in fabric-like material that requires no maintenance or lubrication, and eliminates squeaking." How have you found these bars in regards to those claims? I looks like you get some descent snow and below freezing temps, any negative effects to your sway bar set-up.

I'm struggling with which bars to get...thinking H&R, Hotchkis or Eurocode. ALthough it sounds like everyone likes the bars they have and the only negative things I have heard is the end-links getting noisy and needing rebuilding but it seems booting the ends helps in that regards. Do you have any experience with those issues?


Shawn

I've had hr bars on probably 5 or so cars and never had to service them and never had a peep. I've run Hotchkis bars and was very happy with them and it was quick using the zerks on them. I prefer stock links to sphericals as well for lack of need for maintenance, quietness, and longevity.

mike

[eurotic]

^ The new 034 rear bar has a zirk fitting for greasing the bushing which is nice. They only sell the rear though. As far as endlinks you could go with the Moog front and rear endlinks for less then $100, they are not adjustable and don't need rebuilding over time. Quite a few guys have complained about the shperical endlinks which is why I steered clear of them. I nave the Eurocode f/r sways and love them. You could also look into purchasing the cr-15 upper bar for a nice cheap mod from member u2nelson, he manufacturers them.

I have not had any issues. These have been installed for years now.

I've had hr bars on probably 5 or so cars and never had to service them and never had a peep. I've run Hotchkis bars and was very happy with them and it was quick using the zerks on them. I prefer stock links to sphericals as well for lack of need for maintenance, quietness, and longevity.

mike

Thanks for the replies guys. The CR-15 for sure is on my list of things to do for the car. For the price it seems like a no brainer.

I had the Hotchkis kit installed on my B6 and was quite happy with it and the zerks made it reasonably convenient to re-grease. But I am lazy and I like the idea of "set it and forget it" and it sounds like the H&R bars might be the answer to that. Realistically would someone really feel any difference between the solid H&R bars and the hollow Eurocode or Hotchkis bars? I suspect I wouldn't be able to tell in a blind test, but who knows.

I keep getting drawn in on the adjustable links, from what I've read I'm only going to be looking at heartache down the road with the inevitable noise and need to rebuild them. Maybe the moog endlinks would be a good option.


Shawn

[4wheelpilot]

I had the 034 rear sw installed a few weeks ago, with the moog end links.
In dynamic mode with Pirelli Cinturato summer tires and on a dry road, I accelerated quickly through an intersection.
The car really surprised me with the amount of oversteer!
No wheelspin but I had to correct my line (to avoid going into the oncoming lane). The S4 responded brilliantly.

I later installed the CR-15.
From my experience, it clearly reduced front end flex.
For example, less creaking over uneven road surfaces.
I am very impressed with this strut bar based on the low cost and ease of installation.

[b8audis4]

I just did the rear sway. It did seem to help with understeer, and you can enter and exit a corner a bit quicker. I went with the 034 one, and this is what was recommended.

[BillyG]

I had the full Eurocode setup on my 2010 and it was AMAZING! The downside is that I live in WI and we get a lot of snow, which after a year or two something in my suspension started to creak like mad all of the time, drove me crazy.
I now have a 2015. Knowing what I know now, I will buy a set of maintenance free H&R sways when I'm ready, with either stock or MOOG endlinks.

[RyanJon]

Would a non sports diff rear bar onto a sport diff equipped car give much of a difference?

My car has the sports diff and doesn't understeer at all even when pushed hard on track, I'd just like to be able to introduce a little more powered oversteer without ruining the balance and I can't help but think Audi must have put such a small bar on sport diff cars for a reason

[14S4GWM]

Would a non sports diff rear bar onto a sport diff equipped car give much of a difference?

It's the same bar from an S4

[Danny2323]

I'm running H&R sways front and rear (soft setting in the front), along with Moog links. Although the Teflon bushings are maintanence free, a went ahead and wrapped the contact points on the bar with Teflon tape too. It's dead silent.

[BillyG]

I'm running H&R sways front and rear (soft setting in the front), along with Moog links. Although the Teflon bushings are maintanence free, a went ahead and wrapped the contact points on the bar with Teflon tape too. It's dead silent.

Excellent! How do you like the feel of the H&Rs with the Moogs over stock?

[onlyaudis]

looks like I am in a large minority here, but I think its good to get a counter point . I have a lot of experience in suspension tuning, do my own alignments, and have set up dozens of cars over the years, I love what a good set of sway bars do on most cars, and have upgraded just about every Audi I have owned with either RS bars or aftermarket ones. I was excited to put the H&R bars on my 2012 S4 with sport dif. installed them took it out for a ride, and immediately did not like what the big bars did to the feel of the car for street driving. Really didn't notice much of a difference on turn in on my sports dif car, and ride quality was diminished noticeably IMO. felt like someone put a straight jacket on my multi link suspension. --which is pretty much what oversize bars do--you lose a decent % of your independent suspension. tried just the rear bar, and didn't like the balance of the car with it and the stock front either. took them off and sold them to a forum member to put on his track car. pretty big disappointment. The big bar added to the back of my B6 A4 just transformed that car.

Right now I have the car set up with Koni sports, a beefed up lower front brace, upgraded endlinks on stock bars, and the CR15 brace. Car has a great balance between ride quality and cornering for the street--I couldn't be happier with it. Best handling street sedan i have ever driven. I could see for heavy duty track use, a set of bigger sway bars would be invaluable, but IMO, they suck for the street on an upscale car like an S4 unless where you live has nearly perfect roads (like Germany ) or you are not very sensitive to ride quality.

[RyanJon]

It's the same bar from an S4

Sure I read that the rear bar on a sports diff car is the smallest 1 that Audi make and even a non Quattro diesel has a bigger rear bar

[ModItNow]

I have the 034 rear bar and it was a great upgrade, I prefer the way the car steers now. But if you like the factory balance of the car maybe stick with a front and rear set.

[ModItNow]

Would a non sports diff rear bar onto a sport diff equipped car give much of a difference?

My car has the sports diff and doesn't understeer at all even when pushed hard on track, I'd just like to be able to introduce a little more powered oversteer without ruining the balance and I can't help but think Audi must have put such a small bar on sport diff cars for a reason

I bet the non sports diff bar with moog end links would be a nice little upgrade. I believe its a 6mm difference between the two.

[rwtzero]

Question: What does it take to install the front sway? Anything crazy like having to drop the steering rack?

[theswoleguy]

I installed just the rear for about 3-4 weeks (time, rain every weekend etc) when I did my Awe exhaust, the rear bar and accessing the end links is a minor PITA especially due to the bar being larger.

I installed the front about 3-4 weeks later and it took longer to remove the splash shield than to install the bar. I mean honestly access couldn't be any easier unless you hit a button and it fell from the car. You could do the front in <=30 minutes

I loved just the rear setup as I have ran similar setups on previous cars, turn in and throttle lift oversteer are something to get use to but I noticed a bit of float in the front during turn in so went ahead and installed the front bar to stiffen the front up some, this was before my AK Brace. Now i have all 3, will get the CR15 bar one day but the car is pretty solid now especially with the forum recommneded Michelin PSS.

[chilort]

EC front (soft) and rear (stiff), Moog end links, and CR-15 brace. Love it. Should have come from the factory like this.

[SonnyDeez]

The H&R sway bar description says "come equipped with exclusive Urethane/Teflon composite bushings featuring a molded-in fabric-like material that requires no maintenance or lubrication, and eliminates squeaking." How have you found these bars in regards to those claims? I looks like you get some descent snow and below freezing temps, any negative effects to your sway bar set-up.

I'm struggling with which bars to get...thinking H&R, Hotchkis or Eurocode. ALthough it sounds like everyone likes the bars they have and the only negative things I have heard is the end-links getting noisy and needing rebuilding but it seems booting the ends helps in that regards. Do you have any experience with those issues?


Shawn

I have the h and r on my car, which I bought from onlyaudis for the track, and drove it through a normalish winter in Tahoe many times. So far they seem to be holding up well. I had someone else install them and they did use the tape and I haven't heard any noise at all.

I certainly agree with him that the car rides rougher with the bars. Especially on the craptastic streets of the bay area, but they work really well on the track.

I even powered my way out of this mess of snow once



And probably burned up some clutch in the process, but bars are fine

[eurotic]

Thanks for all the insight about the bars everyone.

@onlyaudis, I appreciate the counterpoint and I agree with you that the rear bar on the B6 chassis made a huge difference. I had a B6 S4 with the rear Hotchkis bar (how odd that I can't remember if I had the front bar too) but whatever the set-up it was fantastic compared to stock. I do not find the B8 horrible for being pushy in the corners (comparatively) and I am not sure if giving up some compliance is what I really want to do. Our roads are pretty bad as is the decommissioned runway we autocross on. As much as I would like to stiffen and flatten things out I wonder if I might then suffer from the ill effects of have a less independent suspension.

I might just have to buy a set and try them out.

[moophone]

I'm getting Front and Back Eurocodes installed without endlinks today. I'll probably add endlinks next year but wanted to try without first.

[SonnyDeez]

I'm getting Front and Back Eurocodes installed without endlinks today. I'll probably add endlinks next year but wanted to try without first.

Cool, please update if you get the end links and do the comparison -- I don't have them and I'm not sure if they're worthwhile. The sways by themselves seem to make such a significant difference, that I'd be surprised if the endlinks are worth it. The adjustable ones are also not cheap compared to the bars themselves.

[Dakkath]

It's a noticeable difference. The car is amazing with the full EC setup. I did full-stiff rear, soft-front. I still have stock non-ADS suspension so it retains a good daily driving experience and I don't rub body parts, or exhaust parts on the shitty roads in PDX.

I also had my installer put the EC dust boots on the endlinks and pack with lithium grease to keep them fresh and noise-free.