Riverside is selling a set on eBay for around $150, so now that I got some input I believe I've made up my mind. Thanks man.

 

Welcome. That's an excellent price.

 

how long does it take to install ? approx

 

The front takes a good bit longer than the rear, which should take you an hour so at most start to finish. The rear can be a bit tricky to route, you need patience to snake it past the rear diff if you are working under jack stands - a lift makes it much easier to get the angle to move the new bar into place w/o scratching it, etc.

The front has the cover to deal with and all 28 bolts for that before you can even get going. Wheels off, end links off the bar, it might take you more like 2 hours with hand tools. Just lube both F&R and most bushings and clamps have 2 ways that fit, one which keeps them cleaner from the elements. Most of the job is moving stuff out of the way in front and putting it back. So allow yourself half a day and you'll be more than fine.

Not as easy as my SE-R track car, where I can drop the rear bar entirely in 15 minutes for example running in heavier rain, otherwise the car gets tail-happy.

 

I have the Hotchkiss sways on order. I have a 2005 Coupe and was wondering what setting should I start with? I was thinking position 2 in the front (48% stiffer than stock) and position 2 in the rear (125% stiffer). Does that sound like a good starting point? I do not track my car. Just a little aggressive drive in the curves on the way to work.

 

Yes, those are excellent starting points. Front only 1.25 and rear I assume you mean it is stock stiffness + 48 % more.

If in doubt run the rear full soft and work your way up. It's easier get at the links a little. Consequences of too much front is a stiff ride mostly, too much rear esp with stock OEM tire sizing, tail happy car with snap oversteer can be the result.

Just go gradually. Give yourself plenty of time on the settings, it's tempting to drive a week or two and change them - I wouldn't. Make it more like month, so you get the right impressions.

HTH

 

Not sure if anyone else has had this issue, but my Front Stillen Sway Bar just broke!

Installed October, 2005. Started making noise which I thought were the suspension arm bushings last fall (2009). Lots of noise a couple of weeks ago, and last week-end, I heard a big noise (sound of it snapping?)

Removed on the W/E (46,000 miles on the sway bars). Looks like it started as a crack last fall since part of the break is starting to rust. Finally let go last W/E.

I’ve never tracked the car, and though I’m an enthusiastic driver, am not overly aggressive. The bars are set on ‘medium’.

Stillen says that their bars are only warranted for 1 year so it’s not covered! I’m pretty disappointed with their response. I probably should have gone with Eibach which Stillen warranties for 1 million miles. Looks like they have more faith in other manufacturers than their own!

I can’t seem to attach the pictures right now, but I’ll try to later.

 

Here're a couple of pics.

 

^Gordgee, I've seen that happen with one other Stillen bar set before. Wanna say it was posted on my350 in 06 or 07 IIRC.

 

I just put the hotchkis bars on a few weeks ago, they do have the collars welded on now.

 

Mine are over two years old, they came with welded stops on them, bought them early Spring 2008.

 

subscribed

 

Not surprised.

As I said, Stillen won't cover it. They claim that it must have been caused by hitting potholes or something, but I'm always very careful, and have only had one minor wheel alignment as a maintenance item done since I bought the car even though the car has always tracked true. Anything that would cause the sway bar to break like that would likely have been very noticeable at the time, and would have affected other things in the front end. I believe it was a manufacturing flaw and one of my engineer friends agrees.

Adam at Stillen offered a replacement front bar for a reduced price, but I've lost faith in Stillen. Why throw good money after bad? I asked if they would offer a discount on one of the other brands they sell that carry a better warranty, but they said it only applies to the Stillen! In fact, the price they quoted the dealer to replace my bar with the Eibach bar was a few dollars higher than the sale price per their site!

This has left a bad taste in my mouth for Stillen and I'd have to recommend avoiding some of their products in the future. Sorry Adam, I know you browse these forums, but Stillen's response in this case sucks!

 

What I found on My350 was a thread about a Stillen rear bar breaking:

http://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-suspension-399/

 

Yes, mine look just the same, except mine are 4 way adjustable (4 holes).

As far as you guys with the bad luck with stillen....Go with the Hotchkis, yes a little more, (on some sites even cheaper) Hotchkis has built a good reputation in the suspension components.